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LequteMan
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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission,NERC, has placed a ban on the mass disconnection of electricity consumers by power distribution companies in the country, Punch reports.
“Please note that the commission has developed procedures for disconnection of defaulting customers as contained in the regulation on connection and disconnection of electricity services. The commission has also banned mass disconnection of electricity customers," a public statement issued by the body said on Tuesday.
“Therefore, any community, village, local government area or estate wrongfully disconnected from electricity supply should report to the commission for its further action.
“Consequently, electricity disconnection by the Discos is strictly to be effected in accordance with the provision of sections 5-11 of the commission’s Connection and Disconnection Procedures for Electricity Services Regulation.
“Electricity customers who pay their bills should not be disconnected via a mass disconnection of his/her community, block of flats, estate, etc. Any mass disconnection carried out by the Discos in contravention of the provisions of the above regulation is illegal and should be reported to the commission.”
The Executive Director, Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, hoever said the Discos had published advertisements in all major newspapers the previous month asking the chronic debtors to pay up within 10 days. This includes people owing about N94bn.
He further explained: “When we say mass disconnection, it does not mean we are going to disconnect a whole village or a whole town. Mass disconnection in our case means that we are disconnecting all historic debtors and NERC has commended us for that privately."
“Please note that the commission has developed procedures for disconnection of defaulting customers as contained in the regulation on connection and disconnection of electricity services. The commission has also banned mass disconnection of electricity customers," a public statement issued by the body said on Tuesday.
“Therefore, any community, village, local government area or estate wrongfully disconnected from electricity supply should report to the commission for its further action.
“Consequently, electricity disconnection by the Discos is strictly to be effected in accordance with the provision of sections 5-11 of the commission’s Connection and Disconnection Procedures for Electricity Services Regulation.
“Electricity customers who pay their bills should not be disconnected via a mass disconnection of his/her community, block of flats, estate, etc. Any mass disconnection carried out by the Discos in contravention of the provisions of the above regulation is illegal and should be reported to the commission.”
The Executive Director, Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, hoever said the Discos had published advertisements in all major newspapers the previous month asking the chronic debtors to pay up within 10 days. This includes people owing about N94bn.
He further explained: “When we say mass disconnection, it does not mean we are going to disconnect a whole village or a whole town. Mass disconnection in our case means that we are disconnecting all historic debtors and NERC has commended us for that privately."
