The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has clarified that the outstanding electricity bills of landlords are not to be enforced on new tenants.
The NERC Commissioner, Finance and Management Services, Nathan Shatti, stated this recently during a live programme on “meters and metering”.
He said, “Landlord’s outstanding electricity bills cannot be enforced on a tenant. A judge recently ruled that the bills of a previous tenant cannot be enforced on a new customer. Send us details if you are in such a situation.
“An order was issued on capping in February. The capping order is still in force. DisCos should take note. The Commission is doing everything to enforce compliance. We will do even more.”
He also explained that “new tenants who spend their money to procure meters will be refunded through a mechanism that the NERC will come up with”.
The commissioner added that there is also a court order criminalizing actions contrary to capping policy in the country.
Capping means that unmetered customers cannot be charged more than metered customers by Distribution Companies in any neighbourhood.
He said “If you have paid for a meter and you have not received it, please note that it is wrong. It is unacceptable behavior, adding that “the intention of the regulation is that payment should not be made if meters are not available. Where you have, write to the Commission with your details.”
