Nov. 8, 2024

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has expressed its support for recent directives from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to uphold consumer rights and fairness in the electricity sector.

In a statement signed by the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo,  the Agency called on Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) operating within the State to ensure full transparency and strict adherence to regulatory guidelines regarding metering, billing, and consumer classification into billing bands.

He expressed concerns over reports of unauthorised costs being transferred to consumers and cases where consumers with functional meters have been pressured into costly replacements.

In his words, “These practices violate the NERC Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations 2021, which clearly state that the cost of meter replacements should not be passed on to consumers.

“We are particularly troubled by cases where customers are placed on estimated billing during meter replacement delays, leading to unnecessary financial burdens in clear defiance of NERC’s prohibition on estimated billing for unmetered consumers.

“LASCOPA is committed to ensuring compliance with these regulations and safeguarding Lagos residents from arbitrary charges and unfair billing practices”, Mr. Solebo said.

The General Manager stated that LASCOPA is directing DISCOs within the state to suspend all consumer-funded meter replacements, insisting that the cost of meter replacements must be fully absorbed by DISCOs, as stipulated by NERC regulations.

He advocated strict adherence to NERC guidelines for the inspection, documentation, and replacement of faulty or obsolete meters, including the provision of detailed information on the identified fault, inspection date, inspecting officer’s credentials, and replacement schedule in any notice issued to consumers.

Solebo insisted that consumers must not be subjected to estimated billing due to delays in meter replacement, stressing that meters should be promptly installed whenever faulty or obsolete meters are removed.

He called for transparency on the part of DISCOs when engaging with consumers, saying “Any announcement regarding meter replacement must clarify all details, including consumer liability, to prevent unwarranted anxiety and confusion”.

Mr. Solebo reaffirmed LASCOPA’s commitment to holding DISCOs accountable and urged all electricity consumers in Lagos State to report cases of non-compliance directly to the Agency.

“We appreciate the cooperation of NERC and NEMSA in building a transparent, consumer-focused electricity sector and reiterate our dedication to enforcing all relevant consumer protection laws”, he concluded.