The House of Representatives has emphasized the need for the Nigerian Electricity Commission (NEC) and the electricity distribution companies to fashion out implement measures that protect consumers and restore public trust in the electricity sector.
The House Ad-Hoc Committee investigating electricity sector spending,said this during his sitting on Monday.
The chairman of the committee, Mr. Ibrahim Al-Mustapha Aliyu, also expressed determination to hold the electricity sector accountable and ensure that all Nigerians receive fair billing, adequate service, and access to proper metering.
“The people of Nigeria deserve a power sector that is transparent, efficient, and responsive to their needs. This committee will continue to oversee and push for reforms that guarantee accountability and service excellence,” Mr. Aliyu added.
He expressed concern over the ongoing illegal estimated billing practices affecting millions of Nigerians, despite the longstanding legal requirement for electricity metering.
“It is unacceptable that Nigerians continue to be subjected to estimated billing. Our citizens deserve accurate bills, fair pricing, and reliable service,” he added.
Acting NERC Chairman, Mr. Yusuf Ali,
who appeared before the committee
acknowledged the concerns raised about unethical billing practices.
He admitted that the commission is aware of instances where some Discos have failed to deliver services as promised, but explained that certain measures are being implemented to address the issue.
“Indeed, we are aware of these challenges,” Mr. Ali said. “Our office receives a large volume of complaints from consumers about service quality. In band A areas, we have implemented Internet of Things (IoT) meters on feeders, which allow us to monitor electricity supply and service quality. This enables us to cross-check the data submitted by customers against actual observations on the network.”
He also explained that where discrepancies are observed, the commission downgrades the feeder and enforces a compensation mechanism for affected consumers.
He further noted that NERC has introduced caps on billing for customers without meters to prevent overcharging, alongside monthly feeder inspections to check for irregularities.