By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced an amended order on unauthorised access to, tampering and by-passing of meter.
The Commission in a public notice on Tuesday said the amended order replaced Order No: NERC/REG/41/2017 and had taken effect from 22 January 2025.
“This amendment aligns with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations (CPR) 2023, which allow Distribution Companies (DisCos) to disconnect unauthorised connections without notice and prescribe reconnection conditions,” it said
According to NERC, the order aims also to establish transparent reconnection guidelines to ensure compliance.
The amended Order provides that customers who by-pass meters or gain unauthorised access must pay administrative charges (including meter replacement costs) and reconnection costs under administrative charges.
It stipulates that any customer that gains unauthorised access to electricity through tampering or by-passing of meter will be reconnected upon payment of the administrative charges including meter replacement cost as outlined in the order which is readily accessible at NERC’s website.
It also provides for compensation of customers by the concerned DisCo if reconnection paid for is delayed beyond 48 hours, even as customers guilty of unauthorised access must pay for the loss of revenue through back-billing at the prevailing tariff.