The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has dismissed reports circulating online that customers must undertake a mandatory prepaid meter update by purchasing electricity tokens within a specific period.
IBEDC, in a public notice signed by its management on Tuesday, said there is no mandatory prepaid meter update exercise, and prepaid meters will not stop functioning solely because electricity tokens have not been purchased within a specified timeframe.
The distribution company warned that consuming electricity without vending constitutes an infraction, adding that situations where electricity is being consumed despite non-vending constitute energy theft (energy diversion, meter bypass, or other unauthorised use of electricity).
“Where infractions are established, the affected customer may be subject to the applicable sanctions in line with extant regulatory provisions. This includes: loss-of-revenue fees, fines, and possible prosecution. Customers are encouraged to vend electricity tokens in line with their consumption and to ensure that all electricity usage is through authorised metering arrangements,” it said.
IBEDC advised customers seeking clarification to contact it through its official customer service channels.
In recent years, electricity theft and vandalism of transmission and distribution infrastructure have become common in the country.
In March, the Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies (NERC), in a bid to curb electricity theft and ensure compliance with regulations, unveiled a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling unauthorised access to electricity distribution infrastructure and meter tampering.
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In its new directive, NERC ordered distribution companies to employ surveillance techniques to monitor suspicious activities or behaviours in suspected areas and gather additional evidence as necessary.
In addition, it said DisCos should physically inspect and examine meters in suspected areas for signs of tampering, illegal connections, or unauthorised modifications and conduct integrity tests on suspected meters, capturing evidence of tampering through video and photographic documentation in the presence of the customer or their representative.
The SOP mandates the DisCos to issue a disconnection notice if meter tampering, bypass, or malfunction is confirmed.
“Distribution companies shall disconnect the customer’s premises after issuing a disconnection notice in accordance with established procedures and take actions against individuals, or following due process and regulations.”
NERC ordered the DisCos to implement appropriate penalties and legal entities found guilty of unauthorised access, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
