FCCPC Engages Discos Over Prepaid Meter Phase-Out

 

Oluwakemi Kindness 

 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Tuesday re-echoed its committed to preventing any disadvantage to consumers particularly now with the ongoing meter upgrade.

 

This is as the commission  says it is actively engaging key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), and the eleven DisCos. 

 

“Recent announcements by Ikeja Electric indicated that the Unistar prepaid meters, first deployed over a decade ago, will no longer be supported from November 14, 2024, due to technological upgrades and the Token Identifier (TID) rollover issue”.

 

This intervention according  to the FCCPC is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, aimed at ensuring fair treatment for Nigerian consumers and access to essential services like electricity.

 

The move heels from ongoing concerns surrounding the phase-out of Unistar prepaid meters by the Ikeja Electric Plc and other electricity distribution companies (DisCos), following widespread consumer complaints.

 

But the Commission says it will continue to advocate for Nigerian consumers and ensure that service providers, including DisCos, act in a consumer-friendly, fair, and transparent manner.

 

According to a statement on Tuesday by the Director, Special Duties, FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC said it has observed rising anxiety among consumers over potential financial burdens, particularly whether they will be required to cover the cost of replacement meters.

The statement says the goal is to make the metering process transparent and accountable while protecting consumer interests.  

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