8 Rights of Electricity Consumers in Nigeria

8 RIGHTS OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS IN NIGERIA

Two weeks ago, some staff of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company came to my house, demanded for our electricity utility bills which we immediately handed over to them. After they had checked them and found that we did not default in payment, they then claimed that the former occupants of the house had some outstanding bills which they did not pay before leaving the house. It was due to that reason they disconnected our power supply and left us in darkness for one week. On the 20th of February, 2018, the National  Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC)Forum at Ikeja ordered that the electricity distribution company reconnect our power supply immediately as the disconnection was done without adequate notice and therefore wrongful.

Everyday, Many Nigerians fall victim to the exploitation of some electricity distribution Company because they are not aware of their rights as electricity consumers. As a result of that, they remain in silence and total darkness which leads to economic loss and health hazards.

In Nigeria, the legislation that governs the regulation of the energy sector is the Electricity Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act, 2004. The Act empowered the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ensure the efficient management of electricity supply. The Act mandates the commission to ensure that electricity companies provide quality service to customers.

Below are your rights as an electricity Consumer:

1. All new electricity connections must be done strictly based on metering before connection. That is, no new customer should be connected by a Distribution Company without a meter first being installed at the premises.

2. All Customers have a right to electricity supply in a safe and reliable Manner. Thus,If an electricity distribution company supplies an electricity service with a high voltage that destroy your electric appliances, you have a right to file a complaints against the electricity company to demand for a compensation.

3. All Customers have a right to a properly installed and functional meter free of charge. A Customer who elects to procure a pre-paid meter under the Credit Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) Scheme must be metered within 60 days. Where a consumer under the CAPMI scheme is not metered as such, he has a right not to be billed and a right not to be disconnected by the electricity distribution Company.

4. It is not the responsibility of the electricity customer or community to buy, replace or repair electricity transformers, poles and related equipment used in the supply of electricity. 

5. All Customers have a right to transparent electricity billing. I often hear a lot of electricity consumer complain about  being over billed, which is popularly known as "crazy billing". You have a right to file a complain to the electricity distribution forum to Justify the billing methodology.

6. All Un-metered Customers should be issued with electricity bills based on NERC's estimated billing methodology.

7.  It is the Customer's right to be notified in writing ahead of disconnection of electricity service by the  Distribution Company serving the customer in line with NERC's guidelines.

8. All Customers have a right to a refund when over billed.


If you have complaints on your electricity supply or other related issues , report them to your nearest business unit of electricity distribution Company serving you. If your complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, you can  forward your Complaint to the NERC Forum office within the coverage area of your electricity distribution company.forum at the NERC headquarters. Customers also have the right to appeal the decision of the forum at the NERC headquarter in Abuja.

An informed Consumer is a powerful consumer!