05/05/2019
Participants at a workshop in Ogun State on Thursday resolved that Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria should refund and payback in totality the excess amount paid by Consumers emanating from the outrageous estimated billing system and other irregularities.
Rising from the workshop organized by Ota-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), African Foundation for Environment and Development (AFED), the participants resolved that estimated billing should be criminalized after they reviewed and evaluated a bill sponsored by Hon Femi Gbajabiamila of the House of Representatives.
The workshop held at the Community Hall, Ijamido Townhall, Ota, Ogun State deliberated on the “Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill 2018” sponsored by Hon Gbajabiamila and the distribution of Prepaid Meters through Meter Asset Providers.
The participants drawn from Lagos and Ogun states represented organizations like Electricity Consumer Mega Forum (ECMF), Committee for Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Advocacy for Anti-Bribery, Corruption and Crime Prevention Initiative (AABC & CPI), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), All Electricity Consumers Protection Forum (AECPF), Triumphant Foundation and Community Development Associations (CDAs).
The Executive Director of AFED, Mr Adeshola Afariogun, listed the 13 resolutions at the end of the Technical Session as:
1. That Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria should refund and payback in totality the excess amount paid by Consumers emanating from the outrageous estimated billing system. Customer’s bills should be determined in line with provisions of “the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s Meter Reading, Billing, Cash Collections and Credit Management for Electricity Supplies Regulations, 2007” and in line with the decision of Ibadan Forum of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in the case (Appeal No: IBFO/NERC/120/01/2018) between Ibadan Electricity Distribution Compan
