Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) have come under intense scrutiny over their slow metering rollout and dismal refund performance, as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) revealed that between 600,000 and 700,000 electricity meters are currently available for nationwide installation. Speaking at the 4th Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja, NERC vice chairman Dr Musiliu Oseni challenged the utilities to accelerate meter deployment, saying emphatically, “The government has invested, so the DisCos need to step up their efforts on publicity and installation speed.” According to a statement posted on the Commission’s X handle, the meeting marked Oseni’s final NESI stakeholders’ session in his capacity as vice chairman. Dr. Oseni threatened financial sanctions against lagging DisCos. Proposing an innovative enforcement mechanism, he said, “You still have your Operational Expenditure (OPEX) at the national wholesale market level. If you refuse to refund customers, that money can be withheld from your OPEX until you have done so.” He demanded immediate issuance of strict timelines to compel compliance and accountability.

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