Free meters distribution has commenced – NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has stated that free meters distribution by Electricity distribution companies has commenced. Speaking at sixth Seminar on the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for Judicial Officers in Abuja, NERC’s Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, said the is in fulfilment of the promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to increase […]

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has stated that free meters distribution by Electricity distribution companies has commenced.

Speaking at sixth Seminar on the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) for Judicial Officers in Abuja, NERC’s Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, said the is in fulfilment of the promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to increase the number of metered customers in the country.

He added that the commission is engaging in other strategic actions including intensified oversight on the implementation of the SCADA project to reduce grid collapses, creating regulatory frameworks to attract private investments in transmission, and establishing customer care clinics across all distribution companies (DisCos) to enhance service delivery.

Providing an update on the ongoing transition to a multi-tier electricity market, the NERC Chairman noted that NERC has already issued transfer orders to 16 states.

“We are moving from a regime where judges only deal with matters involving utilities and NERC as the sole regulator, to matters involving multiple regulators. Without doubt, effective adjudication on such matters will require the familiarisation of judges with not only the federal laws and NERC regulations but also different states’ laws and regulatory instruments,” he said.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, stated that the judiciary occupies a vital position in this reform journey as guardian of the law.

He noted that the decentralization of electricity regulation has introduced new areas of adjudication in electricity sector jurisprudence. Furthermore, he emphasised that this seminar is a crucial step that aligns fully with the vision of the CJN toward improving case resolutions within the sector.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, stated that lawmakers have a mandate to foster reforms through legislative interventions, such as the recent Constitutional Amendments, enactment of the Electricity Act 2023, and the proposed amendments to the Act.

“These specific sector reforms will boost our electricity supply, integrate renewable energy, promote competition, increase access to affordable electricity, and mitigate disputes between State, Federal, and private entities in the electricity sector,” he said.