NERC abolishes bulk billing

Following a recent query issued to the National Electricity Regulatory Committee (NERC) by Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki-led Senate recently, the committee has agreed to finally end the practice of bulk billing.

In a resolution presented on the floor of the Senate last Tuesday, entitled “Unfair Trade Practices of Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria,” which was co-sponsored by Senator Sam Egwu, from Ebonyi, and Senator David Umaru (Niger East Senatorial District), the Senate instructed NERC to “immediately abolish fixed charges on electricity consumption, bulk marketing of villages and communities.”

Furthermore, the resolution required NERC to explain the “basis for Discos estimated electricity billing as well as payments made by consumers for meter installation in their homes.”

Initially, in a press conference held a week after the Senate query, NERC under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, attempted to defy the directive of the Upper Legislative body.

However, in a swift turnaround, the commission released a statement on last week Monday, stating that customers who do not receive power would henceforth be exempted from paying fixed charges.

Also, the commission agreed with the Senate's position on the need to eliminate the practice of bulk billing, and replace this practice with individual metering and billing.

Although it appears the Senate and NERC have reached an understanding on the issue of bulk billing, responding to the segment of the query on fixed charges and estimated billing, Amadi said that there is no going back on the charges on electricity consumption fixed by the Commission as that was a global practice – a compromise that many believe is a show of democracy at work.

Reacting to the development, the Senate President on last Friday expressed his delight, stating that he was glad that the committee finally agreed with the senate position.

In a series of Tweets on his personal page, Saraki further commended NERC for responding to Nigerian's calls in such a prompt manner, re-assuring Nigerians that the “Motion on #power should be a signal to other regulatory bodies that the 8th Senate will not allow anti-people policies to go unchecked.”

The Senate President went on to urge Nigerians to engage with their representatives in the legislature as the 8th Senate will make channels of communication available to Senators- asking Nigerians to contact their Senators for oversight of any agencies and/or organizations.

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