Meter by-pass: NERC empowers DisCos to disconnect illegal connections arbitrarily
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has granted electricity distribution companies (DisCos) the authority to disconnect customers found guilty of meter bypassing and other forms of electricity theft without prior notice.
This directive was issued through an amendment to the Order on unauthorised access, meter tampering, and bypass, replacing Order NERC/REG/41/2017. The updated regulation, which took effect from 22nd January 2024, was published on NERC’s website in Abuja on Tuesday. It was signed by NERC Chairman, Mr Sanusi Garba, and Commissioner for Legal, Licensing, and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye.
The commission explained that the former Order NERC/REG/41/2017, issued on 6th December 2017, has now been updated to align with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations (CPR) 2023. These new provisions empower DisCos to disconnect unauthorised electricity connections without prior notice and outline the conditions for reconnection.
“The Commission is required by Section 34 (1) (b) of the Electricity Act 2023 (EA) to maximise access to electricity services by promoting and facilitating customer connection to distribution systems in both rural and urban areas.
“The Commission is further empowered by Section 226 of the Act to make regulations on all matters required to give effect to the Act,” NERC stated.
It further explained that under the Customer Protection Regulations (CPR) 2023, DisCos are authorised to disconnect any unauthorised connection to the electricity distribution network. Customers who have been disconnected for illegal connections must meet specific conditions before they can be reconnected.
These conditions include: “Formalising electricity supply arrangements to the satisfaction of the DisCo. Payment of approved reconnection costs to the DisCo or entering into an agreement for the payment of reconnection costs.”
According to NERC, the revised order is designed to reduce unauthorised access to electricity, curb meter tampering and bypassing, and establish clear and transparent reconnection guidelines to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
