The Federal government has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to reinstate the regulation that allows electricity power consumers to purchase meters from approved vendors.
NERC had in September last year directed the 11 electricity distribution companies operating in the country to formally wind down the alternative meter financing scheme (Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation) on or before November 1, 2016. The scheme was initiated by NERC in 2013.
On Thursday, however, the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, stated that both the Federal and state governments recently resolved that NERC should reinstate the regulation that permits electricity power consumers to purchase their own meters, especially where the Discos had failed to provide the facility.
The ministry said the resolution was reached recently at the third edition of the National Council on Power. It said the Council also stated that NERC should commence an aggressive multi-platform public awareness programme that would reach as many customers as possible, and explain all the policies and regulations and obligations related to metering.