NERC Imposes Fines for Meter Bypass, Set New Reconnection Fees

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has introduced new fines for customers caught tampering with or bypassing electricity meters. In a new order posted on its website, the Commission outlined penalties for both maximum-demand and non-maximum-demand customers.

According to NERC’s directive, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are now authorized to impose a fine of N200,000 on maximum-demand customers for the first offence and N300,000 for subsequent offences. Non-maximum-demand residential customers will face a N100,000 fine for the first offence, with the fine increasing to N150,000 for repeated violations.

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In addition to these penalties, NERC has mandated DisCos to charge a reconnection fee of N10,000 for non-maximum-demand customers and N50,000 for maximum-demand customers. The Commission has also outlined a strict timeline for reconnection. If a DisCo fails to reconnect a customer within 48 hours of payment for reconnection and administrative charges, the utility company will be required to compensate the affected customer for any delayed reconnection costs.

NERC further emphasized that distribution companies will be held accountable for unjustifiable disconnections and must remunerate customers for any delays in reconnection caused by their failure to act promptly.

These new measures are part of NERC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and accountability of the electricity sector and to curb fraudulent activities related to meter tampering.

The regulations are expected to impact millions of Nigerian electricity consumers, especially in areas with high incidents of meter bypassing and illegal connections.