The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has expressed its support for the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) recent N10.5 billion fine on eleven electricity distribution companies (DisCos) for their arbitrary billing of unmetered consumers.
NERC imposed the hefty sanction on DisCos due to their failure to comply with the capping of estimated bills for customers without meters. In response, the FCCPC, through its Acting Executive Vice Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, commended the move, emphasizing that it serves to protect consumers from unfair practices by companies operating in Nigeria.
Abdullahi highlighted that this action is in line with the FCCPC’s mandate as outlined in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, particularly Section 17 (s), which empowers the Commission to shield consumers from exploitative practices and demand redress on their behalf.
“We stand in solidarity with NERC in its commitment to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing by DisCos. The capping regulation was a significant step towards ensuring fairer treatment for those without meters, and the FCCPC fully supports its enforcement,” stated Abdullahi.
The FCCPC’s endorsement of NERC’s regulatory measures underscores the authorities’ unified stance against unjust billing practices, signaling a concerted effort to uphold consumer rights and promote transparency in the electricity distribution sector.
