NERC Vows to Penalise Customers Evading Electricity Meters.

Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has introduced new penalties for customers and Distribution Companies (DisCos) involved in “unauthorised access, metre tampering, and bypass.” 

According to NERC, “the amended Order 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.”

The new Order, which replaces Order No: NERC/REG/41/2017, took effect on January 22, 2025. NERC stated that the order aims to “reduce unauthorised access to electricity, meter tampering, and bypass; and to establish transparent reconnection guidelines to ensure compliance.”

The amended Order outlines three key provisions:

– Reconnection Conditions & Charges: Customers who bypass meters or gain unauthorised access will be required to pay administrative charges, including meter replacement costs and reconnection costs.

– Administrative Charges: Customers will be charged varying amounts for unauthorized access, depending on the type of connection. For example, Non-MD Single Phase (Residential) customers will pay N100,000 for the first offense and N150,000 for subsequent offenses.

– Compensation for Delayed Reconnection: If DisCos fail to reconnect a customer within 48 hours after payment, they must compensate with 100% of daily energy consumption in energy credit.

Customers found guilty of unauthorised access will also be required to pay for the loss of revenue through back-billing at the prevailing tariff.

Please don’t forget to “allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.