The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC) has intervened in response to growing consumer anxiety over the phase-out of Unistar prepaid meters by Ikeja Electric Plc and other electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
The phase-out is set to begin on November 14, 2024.
In a statement released Tuesday, FCCPC’s Director of Special Duties and Strategic Communication, Ondaje Ijagwu, stressed the flood of consumer complaints regarding the transition. “Further concerns relate to the possibility of consumers being placed on arbitrary estimated billing during this transition, which would violate existing rules,” Ijagwu stated.
Consumers are particularly worried about the potential costs associated with replacing the meters, as well as the risk of being placed on estimated billing during the changeover. Many fear that such practices could lead to inflated charges.
The FCCPC highlighted the need for better communication from DisCos, which has contributed to uncertainty and distrust among consumers. “These concerns have been worsened by insufficient communication about the phase-out process,” the agency noted.
To address these issues, the FCCPC is engaging with key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the eleven DisCos, to ensure consumer protection and compliance with regulations.
The Unistar prepaid meters, first introduced over a decade ago, are being phased out due to necessary technological upgrades, including issues related to the Token Identifier (TID) rollover, as announced by Ikeja Electric.
