NEWS
FCCPC Engages DisCos Over Prepaid Meter Phase-Out, Pledges Consumer Protection
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is addressing the ongoing concerns surrounding the phase-out of Unistar prepaid meters by Ikeja Electric Plc and other electricity distribution companies (DisCos), following widespread consumer complaints.
Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Special Duties & Strategic Communications of FCCPC, disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday.
Ikeja Electric recently announced that its Unistar prepaid meters, first introduced over a decade ago, would no longer be supported after November 14, 2024, due to technological upgrades and the Token Identifier (TID) rollover issue.
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This change has prompted concerns among consumers, particularly over the potential costs of replacing meters and the fear of arbitrary billing.
In response, the FCCPC noted rising anxiety among consumers, driven by fears of bearing the cost of new meters.
Additionally, there are worries that estimated billing might be imposed on consumers, violating existing regulations.
The FCCPC attributed this uncertainty to insufficient communication from the DisCos about the phase-out process, which has led to confusion and mistrust among customers.
The statement reads, “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is addressing the ongoing concerns surrounding the phase-out of Unistar prepaid meters by Ikeja Electric Plc and other electricity distribution companies (DisCos), following widespread consumer complaints.
“Recent announcements by Ikeja Electric indicated that the Unistar prepaid meters, first deployed over a decade ago, will no longer be supported from November 14, 2024, due to technological upgrades and the Token Identifier (TID) rollover issue.
“The FCCPC has observed rising anxiety among consumers over potential financial burdens, particularly whether they will be required to cover the cost of replacement meters.
“Further concerns relate to the possibility of consumers being placed on arbitrary estimated billing during this transition, which would violate existing rules.
“These concerns have been worsened by insufficient communication from the DisCos about the phase-out process, leading to uncertainty and distrust.
“In line with its mandate to protect consumers and promote fairness in the Nigerian marketplace, the FCCPC is actively engaging key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), and the eleven (11) DisCos.
“The goal is to make the meter process transparent and accountable while protecting consumer interests.
“The FCCPC is initiating discussions with Ikeja Electric and other stakeholders to clarify the phase-out process and ensure that DisCos bear the cost of replacing phased-out meters, without imposing extra charges on consumers.
“The Commission will also work to ensure that DisCos comply with regulatory guidelines, preventing consumers from being unfairly charged or placed on estimated billing.
“Additionally, the FCCPC will ramp up consumer education on their rights, especially regarding metering and electricity billing, to prevent exploitation.
“The FCCPC is committed to preventing any disadvantage to consumers during this meter upgrade. This intervention is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, aimed at ensuring fair treatment for Nigerian consumers and access to essential services like electricity.
“The Commission will continue to advocate for Nigerian consumers and ensure that service providers, including DisCos, act in a consumer-friendly, fair, and transparent manner.” It added
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has explained that talks were still ongoing on the sale of refined products to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
This was detailed in a statement on Thursday evening by Dangote’s Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina.
Under the subject, ‘IPMAN: Setting the Record Straight’, the statement made to clarify stories being bandied in the media space on the difficulties being experienced by IPMAN member on purchasing products from Dangote.
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Chiejina wrote, “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery wishes to clarify that it has not received any payments from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to purchase refined petroleum products.
“Although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN Members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them. “Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.
“The payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us. In the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved, nor authorised us to release our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN.
“We would like to emphasise that we can meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. At present, we can load 2,900 trucks per day and we have also been evacuating petroleum products by sea. We advise IPMAN to register with us and make direct payment as we have more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members.
“Furthermore, we believe it is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Conducting business through public speculation is counterproductive and unpatriotic.
“In the interest of our country, we encourage all stakeholders to collaborate and heed the advice of President Tinubu, while promoting a unified approach, rather than engaging in media conflicts and needless propaganda.”
The Rivers State government has denied a story about her reaction to an obnoxious court ruling baring the Federal Government from releasing her monthly allocations by shutting Nigeria’s Oil production facilities within her territory.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt under the signature of Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Rivers State, Warisenibo Joe Johnson.
Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop disbursing Federal Allocations to Rivers State until the issue of proper passage of the 2024 budget is resolved.
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However, Johnson vehemently denied what he described as “spurious news item circulating on social media”.
Under the subject ‘Re: Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara Shuts Down NNPCL’, he maintained that “The report was not only false, but a concocted propaganda from the imagination of the author and enemies of the State.”
The statement reads, “The attention of Rivers State Government has been drawn to a spurious news item circulating on social media on “Gov. Siminalayi Fubara shutting down NNPCL and all oil companies in Rivers State”.
“The report was not only false, but a concocted propaganda from the imagination of the author and enemies of the State. The story was also circulated by an inconsequential and unverified medium.
“Governor Siminalayi Fubara is committed to the rule of law and does not rely on unconventional and crude approaches to respond to matters of governance.
“We therefore enjoin Rivers people and well-meaning Nigerians to discountenance the spurious and fake report as Governor Fubara at no time contemplated and/or directed such needless order of shutting down the economy for any reason.”
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke chaired the Treasury Board meeting for the 2025 budget, on Thursday and issued a strong admonition to Ministries and Agencies to sustain budget performance on all fronts.
Members of the Treasury Board include the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye; Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina; Attoney General/HCJustice and HC Finance; the Accountant General; Chairman of State Internal Revenue Service among others.
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The Governor scrutinised proposals of various Agencies submitted through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The State Governor noted that presentations by the agencies are encouraging but called for a more innovative approach to Revenue and Expenditure process and practice in line with the fiscal procedures and extent laws.
According to the State Governor, the real value of federation allocations to the state has dwindled despite the slight increase in the nominal value but to have a sustainable budget performance for the good of the citizens, political heads and accounting officers should think out of the box by emphasizing high priority projects and programmes.
“I task heads of ministries and agencies to focus on high priority projects. The resources are limited, and our needs are much. So we have to balance both ends by avoiding frivolous programmes and emphasizing areas promoting the five point agenda of this administration.
“You are to conduct full due diligence on your various sectors and programmes. Revenue generation must be driven with vigour but with a human face. Value for money is also key in state expenditure”, the State Governor charged the various ministries and agencies led by the Commissioners and Special Advisers.
Earlier in his presentation, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Moruf Ademola Adeleke assured that the report of the Treasury Board will be submitted to the State Executive Council for approval as a draft budget for presentation to the State Assembly.
He informed the Governor and other state officials that the budgetary process is on schedule to meet the timeline for final processing and approval by both the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly.
Sectors already covered by the Treasury Board meetings include Education, Solid minerals and infrastructure sectors. The board sitting continues today with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Yetunde Esan, coordinating the process
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