FCCPC backs NERC’s N10.5bn fine on 11 DisCos over arbitrary billing

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has backed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC’s recent N10.5 fine on eleven electricity distribution companies over arbitrary billing of unmetered consumers.

It was reported that NERC slammed N10.5 billion sanction on DisCos over non-compliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.

Reacting to the development, FCCPC, in a statement by Adamu Abdullahi, Acting Executive Vice Chairman, said the move will protect consumers from obnoxious practices by companies operating in Nigeria.

“This decisive measure aligns with the FCCPC’s mandate outlined in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, FCCPA 2018, particularly Section 17 (s), which empowers the Commission to protect consumers from obnoxious practices or unscrupulous exploitation by companies, firms, trade associations or individuals, and to demand redress on their behalf.

“We stand in solidarity with NERC in its commitment to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing by DisCos. The capping regulation was a significant step towards ensuring fairer treatment for those without meters, and the FCCPC fully supports its enforcement”, he stated.