Hon. Adedapo Lam Adesina has moved a motion on the need to curb excessive electricity charges been levied on consumers by the electricity distribution companies, Discos in Nigeria.

In a motion titled “Need to Curb Excessive Charges Being Levied on Consumers by Distribution Companies (Discos) through Prepaid Meters”, Hon. Adesina explained that Discos have derailed from measure laid down by the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in 2007, which was to enable consumers have value for money they are paying for services.

He recalled that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed Discos to ensure that all customers were supplied meters latest by November 2016, but which was extended to December 2017.

Omo Oloore, however, submitted that in order to meet the deadline, Discos started installing meters which were ripping consumers off in a bid generate more money in form of electricity charges, even more than the previous meters installed by PHCN which were consumers-friendly. He also raised the issue of estimated billing which he said is illegal and should be abolished with immediate effect.  

He, therefore, called on the authority of the house to urge the federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to investigate the quality of the new prepaid meters being installed by the distribution companies, and phase them out if they fail to meet up with the requirement.

Hon. Adesina also asked that the house Committee on Power to ensure implementation and report back in six weeks for further legislative action.

The house, under the speakership of Hon. Yakubu Dogara has directed the concerned ministry to investigate the new prepaid meters and phase them out if they do not meet up with standard requirement.