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Federal Govt may sanction DisCos over controversial Meter replacement fees

A showdown is brewing between the Federal Government and Ikeja Electric (IE), one of Lagos’ two Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), over its controversial plan to make consumers foot the bill for replacing “obsolete” meters.

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IE has set a deadline of Thursday, November 14, for customers to pay for the replacement of their meters, warning that failure to comply will prevent them from recharging.

However, this move has sparked strong opposition from several Federal Government agencies, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

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While Ikeja Electric presses ahead with its plan, the other major DisCo in Lagos, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), has reversed its earlier stance on meter replacement.

EKEDC initially required customers to pay for new meters but has since offered a free upgrade option for its consumers.

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In an advisory, EKEDC urged customers to visit its website and upgrade to the newer STS 2 meters at no charge.

Despite the growing backlash, IE has remained firm in its position. At a recent stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, the FCCPC and NERC both warned IE to halt its plan.

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FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello issued a statement reiterating the need for consumer protection and compliance with existing regulations.

Bello emphasised that requiring customers to pay upfront for meter replacements without reimbursement is a direct violation of the National Mass Metering Regulations 2021, specifically the NERC Meter Asset Provider rules.

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He also criticised the practice of placing customers with faulty meters on estimated billing, which is prohibited under NERC regulations.

The FCCPC’s concerns were echoed by an IE customer who filed a complaint after being asked to replace a functioning meter at a significant personal cost.

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Bello stressed that the FCCPC is committed to raising consumer awareness about metering and billing practices to prevent exploitation.

The ongoing dispute underscores systemic inefficiencies within Nigeria’s electricity sector, according to Bello, who highlighted the need for better consumer education and stronger enforcement of industry regulations.

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He praised the collaborative efforts of NERC and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) in working toward a more transparent, consumer-friendly electricity sector.

The FCCPC’s directive to IE to halt the meter replacement initiative follows a clear violation of NERC’s “Order on Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-User Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.”

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NERC’s regulations mandate DisCos to prioritis metering unmetered customers under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) and follow strict procedures when replacing faulty meters, including thorough inspections and proper documentation.

As the standoff continues, the outcome could have significant implications for the future of consumer rights in Nigeria’s electricity sector.

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.

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The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.

Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

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While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

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National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

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He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

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“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

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