The Nigerian power Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced more severe penalties for people and businesses found guilty of bypassing power meters.
On Tuesday, NERC released a revised ‘Order on Unauthorized Access, Meter Tampering, and By-pass’ on its X page, stating that the new order will increase enforcement against energy theft and guarantee compliance with metering standards.
NERC stated that the new directive went into effect on January 22.
“This amendment aligns with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations (CPR) 2023, which allow Distribution Companies (DisCos) to disconnect unauthorised connections without notice and prescribe reconnection conditions,” NERC said.
“The order aims to reduce unauthorised access to electricity, meter tampering, and by-pass. Also, establish transparent reconnection guidelines to ensure compliance.”
For reconnection charges, NERC said customers who bypass meters or gain unauthorised access must pay administrative charges (including meter replacement costs) and reconnection costs.
“Administrative Charges: Any customer that gains unauthorised access to electricity through tampering or meter by-pass will be reconnected upon payment of the administrative charges including meter replacement cost which shall not exceed the sum outlined below,” the commission said.
“Non-MD (maximum demand residential) Single-phase meters: First offence will attract N100,000 while subsequent offence (N150,000).
“Non-MD Three-phase meters: First offence (N200,000) while subsequent offence (N300,000).”
Also, for maximum demand (MD), the first offence will attract 450 percent of the last unit of electricity the customer consumed, and 600 percent of the last recorded consumption for subsequent offence charges.
NERC further said for reconnection, non-MD customers will pay N10,000 and MD would pay N50,000.
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