According to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), it is working with Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and other electrical industry participants to increase the accountability and transparency of metering procedures.

The engagement, according to FCCPC, was to address persistent concerns over Ikeja Electric Plc and other DisCos’ phase-out of Unistar prepaid meters in response to many customer complaints.

The discussion’s goal, according to a statement made public by Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Special Duties and Strategic Communication for the FCCPC, in Abuja on Tuesday, was to make the phase-out process more clear.

According to him, the conversation would also guarantee that DisCos would cover the cost of replacing the phased-out meters without charging customers more.

In order to protect customers from being unjustly billed or put on estimated billing, Ijagwu stated that the Commission will endeavour to guarantee that DisCos adhered to regulatory standards.

Ikeja Electric Plc has announced that, as a result of technology advancements and the Token Identifier (TID) rollover problem, the Unistar prepaid meters, which were initially implemented more than ten years ago, will no longer be maintained as of November 14.

The FCCPC has noticed an increase in customer apprehension around possible financial responsibilities, namely if they would have to pay for the replacement of their meters.

Additional worries centre on the potential for customers to be put on arbitrary projected billing during this changeover, which would be against current regulations.

“Uncertainty and mistrust have been exacerbated by the DisCos’ inadequate communication over the phase-out process.

The FCCPC is actively interacting with important parties in accordance with its purpose to safeguard consumers and advance equity in the Nigerian marketplace.

“The eleven (11) DisCos, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) are the stakeholders,” he stated.

To stop exploitation, he added, the commission will increase consumer education on their rights, particularly with relation to power billing and metering.

According to the director, the FCCPC is dedicated to ensuring that customers are not harmed during this meter change.

President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” program, which aims to guarantee equitable treatment for Nigerian customers and access to basic utilities like electricity, is in line with this initiative.

According to Ijagwu, the commission would keep up its consumer advocacy efforts and make sure that service providers, especially DisCos, behave in a way that is fair, transparent, and customer-friendly.