● Energy correspondent
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to downgrade customers in the Band A category if they fail to meet the mandatory 20-hour daily power supply requirement. This was disclosed by Dafe Apkeneye, NERC’s Commissioner for Licensing and Legal, during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday.
“If Discos cannot meet the promised 20 hours for Band A customers, those customers must be downgraded to the appropriate category based on what the Discos can supply,” Apkeneye explained. He emphasized that the reclassification process is non-negotiable, adding, “Discos must apply for the reclassification and ensure they can consistently meet the supply requirements of Band A customers. If they cannot, they are obligated to downgrade those customers to the correct band.”
Apkeneye acknowledged the challenges faced by Discos, stating that their ability to distribute electricity depends on availability from the national grid. “Discos can only distribute electricity available on the grid, and they are helpless when there is no supply to the grid,” he said. However, he noted that grid stability has improved and expressed optimism about better supply. “If it doesn’t, Discos must take action to downgrade affected customers,” he added.
Addressing the shift in regulatory power under Nigeria’s amended constitution, Apkeneye highlighted that states now have the authority to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their territories. “States can establish and regulate their electricity markets,” he noted. According to him, this change is part of the concurrent legislative list, granting states exclusive powers over electricity infrastructure within their jurisdictions.
Apkeneye further revealed that some states are already making strides to leverage this newfound autonomy. “For instance, Oyo State has issued a notice of intent to establish its electricity market. Their team has visited the commission, undergone extensive training with international regulatory bodies, and even studied practices in Ghana. States are preparing to take full advantage of these new powers,” he said.
Regarding customer grievances, Apkeneye reiterated that NERC has consolidated customer protection regulations to streamline complaint resolution. “For customers to have their complaints resolved by NERC, they must first lodge the complaint with their respective Disco. If the Disco fails to respond within a specific timeframe, the customer can escalate the issue to NERC’s consumer forum,” he explained.
The commissioner assured that NERC remains committed to ensuring fairness in resolving disputes, including cases of overbilling. “However, when customers bypass meters, we ensure appropriate action is taken against such violations,” he warned. The commission’s proactive measures, he stressed, aim to balance consumer rights with compliance across the sector. GMTNewsng
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