Decommisioning Of Unistar Meter, Group Kicks, Threatens Legal Action Against NERC

RE- DECOMMISSION OF “UNISTAR” METER CUSTOMERS METERING SYSTEM ON NOVEMBER 14, 2024. INHERENT ILLEGALITY AND VIOLATION OF AN EXISTING LAW AND ORDER OF NERC

The above named group is a forum for electricity consumers.

The group was formed and registered with CAC under Part C of CAMA 2020.

We write on the above subject matter as a registered electcrity consumers right protection group.

We read in your publication and flyers circulating on social media which was shared in our whatapp group by our members who are electcrity users and fall within your franchise area with indication that, by on the 14th November, 2024 your organization is planing to phased out those customers that uses “UNISTAR” prepaid meter, therefore should register for a new meter to avoid being bill on estimated calculation.

( See the attached)

It’s quite disheartening that an organization whose existence premised on law of operations with directive and order from Nigerian Electricity Regulatory commission can be defiant and unilaterally intend to carry out such exercise as it relates to prepaid meter wihout recourse to existing law that prohibited such action by the regulatory body pursuant to section 34 of electricity Act, 2023 as amended.

We are also shocked to have read in the said publication and directive to customers under your franchise area that from 14th November,2024 without being guided by the provisions of the customers right on prepaid meter that are faulty that’s not customers direct fault must be replaced by your organization hence, you are asking the customers to go and register for meter which it’s not rocket science that it’s not readily available instead of your organization to prepare to replace it for them within 48 hours as provided in mererring code 3:3 and consumers protection regulations,2023.We informed NERC of your intending action on this subject matter thru our national coordinator to the vice chairman NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, his response indicated that no such move or action was requested by your organization to be carry out and there’s no further directive to counter the existing order of 2020 barring any Discos from decommisioning any category of meters as long as it’s satisfied by Nemsa good and usable[15/10, 10:04] Adeola Samuel (Ambassador)

Our demands.

In view of the extant law of operations which are unambiguous as to when such action on decommisioning of any meter both prepaid and post paid can be carry which in your situation has not been seen to be fulfilled on your publication as said above and attached with this letter, we hereby demand thus;

That your organization should issue a new directive with inscription suspension with intentions to decommisioning UNISTAR METER of customers under your franchise area.

That there won’t be anything that will disrupt their service and attempt to recharge forthwith until approval is given by the regulatory body who has denied any approval to that level to counter the existing directive of 2020 that barred any Discos from decommisioning any prepaid or post paid meters.

That if at anytime such move will be made by your organization, it will be according to metering code directive and order of NERC that stipulates provisions of a faulty meter replacement to customers within 48hrs as long as customer not vicariously liable to the damage.

That section 13(2) of consumers protection regulations,2023 be activated which mandated your organization as disco to meter customers as part of your obligation as service provider free.

That section 13(2 of consumers protection regulations,2023 be activated which mandated your organization as disco to meter customers as part of your obligation as service provider free.

We implore you that this rrequests be taken seriously and implemented without further delay as it’s customary of your organization to trample on such order and directive from Nerc as well as customers request based on extant law but we will advice to let wise counsel prevail.

This letter will serve as precondition notice as we intend to challenge your proprietary of this action in the court of competent jurisdiction if not carryout as requested.

Yours faithfully,

Adeola Samuel – Ilori (Ambassador)

National Coordinator All Electricity Consumer Protection Forum (An accredited Affiliate of FCCPC.

Presenter, Electricity on freshfm Lagos