The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says in view of the recent hike in electricity tariffs, operators would be held accountable to every aspect of their service agreements.
The Acting Head of the NERC Tony Akah, told reporters on Wednesday that it was the first time the sector would have a realistic tariff that would ensure operators have a fair return on their investment in the sector.
But he also stressed that Nigerians have been empowered to insist on their rights going forward.
“It is fundamentally important right now that since we have balanced the tariff aspect of it, we as regulator are holding the operators, especially the distribution companies, accountable for every bit of their service agreement.
“We have also embarked on massive consumer education and we expect that by doing that, Nigerians will be well informed and well empowered to insist on the right,” he said.
“Right To Say No”
He emphasised that the era of getting Nigerians or communities compelled to buy electric poles, transformers or repair transformers was over and totally not acceptable.
“We are holding the distribution companies accountable,” he reiterated.
The NERC boss also said that the commission had put mechanisms in place to ensure that the distribution companies (DISCOS) meter all Nigerian customers.
“One of the principal mechanisms in this tariff regime is that the DISCOS must meter all Nigerian customers and failure to meter them within the time frame means that Nigerians will not be disconnected and you cannot estimate them.
“It also gives the power to Nigerian customers to reject their power bill if they feel that, as metered customers, there is a crazy bill that is grossly not realistic.
“You have the right to say no I am am not going to pay that bill.
“We have given them the power to pay the last bill that they accepted to pay pending the resolution of the disputed bill,” he told reporters in Abuja.
Mr Akah further stated that there were inbuilt mechanisms that were very robust and strong to ensure that the sector played by the rule.
He warned operators that the commission had ample powers to sanction them, saying that mechanism were in place to monitor them.
“We will do what we need to do going forward,” he stressed.
Diverse reactions had trailed the new electricity tariff, with many consumer complaining that the service they receive and the moment do not measure up with the charges, but the new regime had given them the power to reject bills that do not reflect the power consumed.