By Abubakar Yunusa
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to publish refunds made to customers who purchased meters under the meter asset providers (MAP) scheme.
The directive, published on its social media handles , was issued after NERC’s first Nigerian electricity supply industry stakeholders (NEIS) meeting in 2025.
The MAP framework provides for the provision and maintenance of end-use meters as a service by third-party investors based on which customers benefitting from such meters pay metering service charges.
In 2023, the commission ordered DisCos to reimburse customers who have paid for the acquisition of meters under the MAP framework.
The order, which took effect on April 1, 2023, stated that “Section 8 (f) of the Regulations provides that distribution licensees are obligated to reimburse customers who pay for meters under the MAP framework through equal instalments of energy credits, at the time of vending, with the cost of the meter amortised over a maximum period of 36 months”.
“Section 24 (1) (b) of the regulations provides that where a customer elects to make upfront payments for meters under these regulations, the cost of the meter shall be refunded through energy credits by the distribution licensee,” the order reads.
“The reimbursement schedule shall be as approved by the commission, having regard to an evaluation of the financial standing of the distribution licensee.”
But despite the order, the NERC said electricity consumers have complained that the DisCos have not been consistent in refunding customers.
As a result, the commission directed that the details of the refund be made public to boost transparency and to encourage customers to take part in the scheme.
“NERC has directed Discos to publish details of MAP refunds on their websites for transparency. This will demonstrate commitment and consistency to the scheme and encourage customers,“ the commission said.
At the meeting, the regulator said it discussed topics covering “tariff methodology and impact of the state transition, NESI liquidity, financial evaluation of the market and the transition to a multi-tier electricity market with regards to the SERCs among others”.
On October 18, 2024, the NERC ordered DisCos to replace phased-out meters.
The regulator also said it is the responsibility of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to replace customers’ meters free of charge if the devices are obsolete or faulty.
The agency also urged Nigerians to report DisCos requesting payment for prepaid meters.
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