NERC orders Discos to provide meters for customers on CAPMI scheme

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to provide meters for all maximum demand customers within their network not later than the last quarter of 2016 as agreed during the meeting it had with them on metering.

The commission threatened to sanction any defaulting Disco beginning from third quarter of the year.

Maximum demand electricity customers are those connected on the 11 KV (high tension wire) and mostly with their dedicated transformers.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by the commission frowned at Discos’ refusal to meter their maximum demand customers under the Credit Advance Payment for Metering Initiative (CAPMI).

The statement, signed by the Acting Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah, noted that CAPMI is one of the commission’s initiatives, which permits willing electricity customers to pay for meters by advancing money to discos, which are expected to instal the meters within 45 days. Customer who subscribes to CAPMI is refunded his money with interest through discounted electricity bills over a period of time.

The statement read in part: “Any customer who approaches your disco for metering under CAPMI scheme must have his or her meter within CAPMI stipulated timeline of 45 days. The scheme remains an option for customers but a compulsory requirement for disco to implement when customer offers to contribute to metering through CAPMI.”

Electricity distribution companies were further directed to ensure that customers in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) are effectively managed. The directive further encouraged the discos to publicise CAPMI scheme for customers to subscribe to it so as to close the wide metering gap in the industry.

The commission also advised electricity consumers to explore its complaint and redress mechanism than resort to jungle justice in settling disputes with officials of the Discos.