The Federal Government has ordered electricity distribution companies to replace any meter phased out due to an upgrade.
This is just as it clarified that there is no directive to phase out Unistar meters as claimed and that they (meters) will soon be out of operation due to an upgrade in technology, and its users will not be able to vend.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) which communicated the federal government’s directive, said any meter currently being replaced by Discos must be substituted to ensure no disruption to customers’ metering needs.
Vice Chairman of NERC, Musiliu Oseni, said that there was no official directive yet on phasing out Unistar meters, stressing that the issue of phasing them out is currently being handled operationally by the Discos.
Oseni noted that the issue has to do with the Token Identifier Rollover.
According to him, if the meters were not upgraded, it would become difficult for customers to purchase electricity.
Oseni explained that Unistar meters are not upgradable, and therefore, they will eventually need to be phased out.
He emphasised that during the phase-out process, no customer should be placed on estimated billing or be denied access to electricity, adding that if customers are asked to purchase meters under the MAP framework, Discos must provide a clear mechanism for refunds, as they are obligated to refund the customers.
