- The FCCPC has threatened enforcement action against DisCos over estimated billing, illegal disconnections and unresolved electricity consumer complaints.
- The commission urged Ikeja Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Company to correct billing errors, accelerate metering and resolve complaints promptly.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has threatened enforcement action against electricity distribution companies (DisCos) over estimated billing, illegal disconnections and other consumer complaints.
FCCPC Chief Executive Officer Tunji Bello issued the warning on Tuesday at a consumer complaints resolution town hall in Ikorodu, Lagos. as reported by The Punch.
Bello said recurring complaints from Ikeja Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Company customers showed persistent gaps in consumer protection.
“Estimated billing must give way to accurate metering. Regulatory directives on billing, disconnection, and reconnection must be obeyed in letter and in spirit,” he said.
He also urged DisCos to improve customer service by informing consumers about actions taken to resolve their complaints.
FCCPC Threatens Enforcement Action
Bello said the commission would continue engaging electricity distributors. However, it would use its enforcement powers if engagement failed to deliver results.
“The commission will continue to engage, but where engagement fails, we will not hesitate to deploy the full weight of our enforcement powers. Compliance is far cheaper than consequences,” he said.
The town hall addressed complaints about arbitrary bills, delayed meter installations and disputed charges. Consumers also reported disconnections without due process, delayed reconnections and poor electricity service.
Bello said the intervention followed a formal request from the Ikorodu West community. Residents had asked the commission to explain their rights and help resolve longstanding disputes with their electricity provider.
DisCos Urged to Resolve Complaints Immediately
Bello called on Ikeja Electric and Eko Electricity Distribution Company to empower their representatives to resolve complaints during the town hall. He said the teams should review disputed bills, correct billing errors and schedule meter installations. They should also reconnect customers whose electricity supply was disconnected improperly.
“Let this Town Hall be remembered not by how many complaints were heard, but by how many were resolved,” Bello said.
He reaffirmed consumers’ rights to fair treatment, accurate information, honest billing and effective redress when service providers fail to meet their obligations.
Bello cited the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which mandates the FCCPC to protect consumers across Nigeria’s economy.
He also acknowledged the regulatory roles of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC). He said the FCCPC’s intervention would complement their work and help prevent complaints from going unresolved between institutions.
FCCPC Reminds Consumers of Their Responsibilities
Bello urged consumers to understand their rights and report violations when electricity providers fail to resolve complaints.
He said customers were entitled to metering, bills reflecting actual consumption and proper notice before disconnection. Consumers could also escalate unresolved complaints to the FCCPC.
However, he reminded customers to pay for electricity consumed and avoid meter bypasses and illegal connections.
Bello also directed FCCPC officers to handle complaints professionally, document cases properly and track each complaint through to resolution.
“Speedy resolution is not merely a performance indicator; it is a promise we make to every Nigerian who trusts us with their complaint,” he said.