Nigerian govt gives directive for Discos to replace phased-out meters

The Federal Government has said that electricity distribution companies (Discos) must replace meters that have been phased out due to an upgrade.

In accordance, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has now clarified that though there is no directive to phase out Unistar meters as claimed.

The meters will soon be out of operation due to an upgrade in technology, and its users will not be able to vend.

NERC stated that any meter currently being replaced by Discos must be substituted to ensure no disruption to customers’ metering needs.

As Nigeria struggles to close the seven million metering gap, some Discos have insisted that customers must get new meters before a November 14 deadline.

Speaking with Punch, the Vice Chairman of NERC, Musiliu Oseni, stated that there was no official directive yet on phasing out Unistar meters, stressing that the issue of phasing them out is currently being handled operationally by the Discos.

Oseni noted that the issue has to do with the Token Identifier Rollover.

According to him, if the meters were not upgraded, it would become difficult for customers to purchase electricity.

Oseni emphasised that Unistar meters are not upgradable, and therefore, they will eventually need to be phased out.

“Operationally, if they say those meters are not upgradable, they can decide to phase them out. But as they remove the meters, based on the rule, they must replace them. It is the responsibility of the Discos to replace them,” he said.