By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in a move to tackle electricity-related offences in the country has specified the various offences and their respective penalties as outlined in the 2023 Electricity Act.
The Commission made this known via its official X (formallyTwitter) handle on Thursday, 28 September, 2023.
_SUMMIT POST NEWS_ reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the 2023 Electricity Act into law in June, 2023.
The Act was signed to resolve all challenges within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, (NESI) as well as promote competition among operators and increase the country’s electricity supply capacity.
The specific offences and their respective penalties as spelt out by the regulator are as follows:
Impersonation:
This attracts a fine of N300,000 or a prison term of at least 7 years, or both;
Destruction of Public Streetlights:
This attracts a fine of up to N200,000.
Non-Compliance with Rules, Orders, Licenses, or Decisions
This attracts a fine of N500,000 or a 3-month jail term, with an additional penalty of N100,000 for every day the offence continues.
False Declaration
This attracts a fine of not more than N100,000 or a jail term of not more than 6 months or both.
Non-Compliance With the Commission’s Orders by Licensee:
This attracts daily penalty not exceeding N20,000,000.
Unauthorised Connection, Reconnection, or Meter Alteration:
This attracts a jail term of not more than three years or fine not exceeding N500,000 with an additional fine of N10,000 for every continuing day of the offence.
Physical Assault on Staff:
This attracts a fine of up to N1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both.
Unauthorised Ownership or Engagement in Electricity Business:
This attracts a fine of at least ten times the application and license fees for the contravened license, a jail term not exceeding 5 years, or both. Additionally, an order for permanent forfeiture of the undertaking to NERC.
Intentionally Cutting off the Electric Supply Line:
This attracts a fine of not less than N300,000.
Aiding or Abetting an Offence:
Penalties vary based on the specific offence abetted.
Acts of Non-Compliance or Contravention
This attracts a jail term of not more than 3 months or a fine of N500,000 with an additional daily penalty of not more than N100,000 for a continuing offence.
Damage to Electricity Supply Material:
This attracts a fine of N300,000 and restoration of the damaged material or line.
Receipt of Stolen Electrical Property:
This attracts a 14-year jail term or a fine of not more than three times the value of the stolen property or both jail term and fine.
Theft of Electricity (Tapping, Unlawful Connection, Meter Tampering, Bypassing):
This attracts a 3-year jail term or a fine or both.
Tampering with Electric Lines or Material:
This attracts a 3 to 5-year jail term or a fine of not less than N500,000 or both.