Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Discos responsible for phased-out meters replacement – FCCPC

POSTED ON October 23, 2024 •   BREAKING NEWS      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Chief Executive Officer, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission , Tunji Bello

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has declared that power distribution companies are responsible for the replacement of phased-out meters in their various franchise areas.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection amid rising concerns over the phase out of Unistar prepaid meters by Ikeja Electric Plc and other electricity distribution companies.

This initiative comes in response to numerous complaints from consumers who fear they might face financial burdens during this transition.
Ikeja Electric recently announced that it would discontinue support for the Unistar prepaid meters, which have been in use for over a decade, starting November 14, 2024.

The decision is attributed to necessary technological upgrades and issues with the Token Identifier rollover.

In addressing these consumer concerns, the FCCPC’s Director of Special Duties and Strategic Communication, Ondaje Ijagwu, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “We are acutely aware of the anxiety among consumers regarding potential costs associated with replacing their meters.

"Our priority is to ensure that these costs do not fall on consumers during this transition.”

Ijagwu said the FCCPC’s intervention was aimed at ensuring that consumers are not subjected to arbitrary estimated billing practices.

He said, “We cannot allow consumers to be unfairly charged or placed on estimated billing. This would be a violation of existing regulations.”

Ijagwu said to bolster consumer confidence, the FCCPC is actively engaging with key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency. 

The commission’s goal is to foster a transparent and accountable metering process.

“Our discussions will ensure that Discos take responsibility for replacing phased-out meters without passing additional costs to consumers,” he stated.

The FCCPC plans to enhance consumer education regarding their rights, particularly in relation to metering and billing.

“It’s essential that consumers are informed about their rights to prevent exploitation during this critical period. We will continue to advocate for consumers, ensuring that service providers act in a manner that is transparent and equitable,” he stated.

READ ALSO
Buhari Dies in London after Brief Illness
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 13, 2025 0

Nigeria’s immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, has died in London. Buhari died on Sund...

READ ALSO
Sowore Condemns Tenure Extensions of Senior Security Officials for Violating 35-Year Service Limit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

Human rights advocate and ex-presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, has criticized the ongoing tenur...

READ ALSO
South-West Demands Five New States and Constitutional Recognition for Traditional Rulers in Ongoing Constitutional Review
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 4, 2025 0

The demand for the establishment of five new states, the recognition of traditional rulers in the co...

READ ALSO
Federal High Court Orders Reinstatement of  Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Calls Suspension "Excessive"
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 4, 2025 0

A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Friday that the Nigerian Senate exceeded its authority by sus...

READ ALSO
Calls for Autopsy: Ondo Govt. Faces Pressure to Exhume Late Governor Akeredolu's Body
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 30, 2025 0

The Ondo State Government may need to exhume the body of the late governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, f...

READ ALSO
Tinubu to Discuss Sustainable Governance at BRICS Summit in Rio
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 29, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Saturday for the first leg of his two-p...

READ ALSO
Reps Launches Committee to Review CNG Policy Implementation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

The House of Representatives has formed an ad-hoc committee tasked with examining the Federal Govern...

READ ALSO
Nigeria Takes Bold Step towards Energy Independence with Naira-Based Crude Sales Initiative
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, alongside the Federal Government’s One-Stop-Sho...

OUR CHANNELS:

NBS Reports Surge in Cooking Gas and Kerosene Prices across Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced a rise in the average costs of cooking gas and...


FG Pledges to End Tertiary Education Strikes, Launches Diaspora Bridge Initiative
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the Federal Government, led by President Bo...


Two Convicted of Poisoning Katsina Commissioner
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

A Katsina High Court has condemned two ex-domestic workers to death by hanging for the murder of Rab...


Former Super Falcons Star Calls out FG for Neglecting Women’s Football Pioneers
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 31, 2025 0

Patience Avre Odeli, a former striker for the Super Falcons, has accused past Nigerian governments a...


Super Eagles B Gear Up for Final Friendly Against Zanzibar Ahead of CHAN 2024
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

The Super Eagles B are set to play the Zanzibar national team today in their second and final friend...


FG to Raise N796bn Annually from New 5% Petrol Surcharge
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

The Federal Government is expected to generate N796bn annually from the implementation of a five per...


No Defection Required: ADC Grants Peter Obi and El-Rufai Freedom to Stay with Current Parties
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

The newly established African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced that the Labour Party's presid...


22 Lives Lost Amid Protests Against Fuel Price Hike in Angola
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

Two days of violence and looting in Angola during a demonstration against a fuel price increase resu...


Joint US-India Space Mission: NISAR Satellite to Predict Natural Disasters
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 31, 2025 0

A powerful new radar satellite, developed in collaboration between the United States and India, was...


Business Owners in Abuja Raise Alarm over Rising Operational Costs and Falling Sales
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 1, 2025 0

Business owners in the Federal Capital Territory have voiced their worries about the escalating cost...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu