NERC shifts metering, billing disputes to states

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed electricity consumers in states with newly established state electricity regulators to channel complaints on metering, billing, and related service issues to their respective state agencies, following the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023.

The directive comes amid ongoing decentralisation of the electricity market, which has transferred regulatory oversight of intrastate electricity operations to state-level authorities in 15 states across the country.

In a statement guiding consumers on the new arrangement, NERC said residents in the affected states should no longer escalate such disputes to the federal regulator.

The transition applies to 15 states that have completed the establishment of their state electricity regulatory frameworks. They include Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau.

It stated, “Consumers in these jurisdictions should no longer direct their complaints to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. Instead, they are now required to engage directly with their State Electricity Regulator.”

According to the commission, the reform is designed to bring regulation closer to consumers and improve responsiveness in handling electricity-related grievances, particularly issues bordering on estimated billing, metering delays and service quality.

The statement further clarified the scope of matters now under state regulators, including enquiries regarding incorrect or estimated bills; issues surrounding the procurement, installation, or performance of meters; reports of poor customer service from distribution companies; and complaints regarding power supply reliability and any other regulatory matters concerning electricity supply within the 15 states.

NERC explained that the reform is part of efforts under the Electricity Act 2023 to decentralise the electricity sector and improve governance efficiency.

The commission added that the new structure is expected to shorten response time to consumer complaints, enhance regulatory accountability at the sub-national level, and ensure that electricity governance reflects the specific needs of individual states.

With the latest directive, consumers within the listed states have been urged to familiarise themselves with their respective state regulators and channel all electricity-related complaints through the appropriate local offices.