The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has endorsed the recent N10.5 billion fine imposed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on eleven electricity distribution companies for the arbitrary billing of unmetered consumers.
NERC had imposed a fine for the non-compliance of distribution companies (DisCos) with the capping of estimated bills for customers without meters.
In response to this action, the FCCPC, through a statement from Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman, expressed support for the move, emphasizing that it will safeguard consumers from undesirable practices by companies operating in Nigeria.
“This decisive measure aligns with the FCCPC’s mandate outlined in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, FCCPA 2018, particularly Section 17 (s), which empowers the Commission to protect consumers from obnoxious practices or unscrupulous exploitation by companies, firms, trade associations or individuals, and to demand redress on their behalf.
“We stand in solidarity with NERC in its commitment to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing by DisCos. The capping regulation was a significant step towards ensuring fairer treatment for those without meters, and the FCCPC fully supports its enforcement”, he stated.