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Electricity consumers not responsible for buying or repairing transformers, other assets ─FCCPC

*Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission restates that faulty transformers should be replaced by a concerned Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) within 48 hours of the official complaint by consumers, clarifying that such replacements or repairs are sole responsibility of the DisCo

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Contrary to the commonplace practice in several places across the West African country, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has restated that  electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), not consumers, are responsible for buying, replacing, or repairing transformers and other electrical equipment, including prepayment meters, used in power distribution to homes, offices and businesses in Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports the regulatory Commission in a series of tweets via its verified official Twitter handle Sunday, April 24, 2022, said: “Electricity Consumer Right/Responsibility: It is not the responsibility of the customer or the community to purchase, replace or repair transformers, poles or other associated equipment used in the distribution of electricity.”

Mr. Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEo of FCCPC    Photo: FCCPC/Twitter

The FCCPC also noted: “Faulty transformers are supposed to be replaced by the Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) within forty-eight hours of the official complaint being made.

“The Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) is responsible for such replacements or repairs.”

The Commission, however, explained that “if the Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) is unable to speedily replace the faulty transformer, residents may go into discussions with the company and agree on the terms of the replacement of the affected transformer, if they so wish to assume the responsibility of the company.”

It should be noted that the FCCPC’s position and subsequent statement in this regard followed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) earlier statement that faulted claims of the DisCos forcing electricity consumers to buy, or repair power assets as part of conditions to restore power supply in certain areas in Nigeria.

As regards prepayment electricity meters, the Commission said: “Customers can purchase meters using the MAP Framework.

“However, DisCos are responsible for refunding or compensating customers who paid in advance for the meters.”

It added: “The cost of the meter is to be reimbursed in 36 equal monthly payments using consumer-purchased energy credits.

ConsumerConnect reports the FCCPC is the leading competition and consumer protection agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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