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Federal Govt may sanction DisCos over controversial Meter replacement fees
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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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Multichoice announces price increase for GOtv, DStv subscription packages
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Multichoice announces price increase for GOtv, DStv subscription packages
A leading pay-TV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, has announced another round of price increases across its subscription plans for both DStv and GOtv services. The new prices will come into effect on March 1, 2025.
In a notice sent to customers on Monday, the company outlined the upcoming changes, which will see significant price hikes across various packages.
The DStv Compact bouquet will rise from N15,700 to N19,000, reflecting a 25% increase. The DStv Compact Plus package will see a 20% jump, from N25,000 to N30,000.
The highest-tier DStv Premium package will also experience a 20% hike, increasing from N37,000 to N44,500.
For GOtv users, price adjustments are equally notable. The Jinja package will increase from N3,600 to N3,900, while the Jolli package will rise from N4,850 to N5,800.
The GOtv Max package will go up from N7,200 to N8,500, and the GOtv Supa package will climb from N9,600 to N11,400. The GOtv Supa Plus package will now cost N16,800, up from the previous N15,700.
The official notice from Multichoice, titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” explained that the new prices were necessary to maintain the delivery of high-quality content and service.
The company noted that the adjustments were essential to ensure the continued provision of both local and international content through advanced technology.
“Dear Customer, please note that effective 1 March 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class home-grown and international content, delivered through the best technology,” the statement read.
This price increase follows a similar one implemented in May 2024, with Multichoice citing inflationary pressures, rising operational costs, and currency depreciation as the key reasons for the hikes.
The company pointed out the challenges posed by the significant drop in the naira’s value and the growing expenses tied to inflation in the country.
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You got it all wrong – Presidency replies Osinbajo over IBB tormenting Tinubu’s comment
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You got it all wrong – Presidency replies Osinbajo over IBB tormenting Tinubu’s comment
The Presidency through the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly disagreed with Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s assertion that former military President Ibrahim Babangida was a “tormentor” of President Tinubu.
The controversy arose during the public presentation of Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja last week. Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, reflected on Tinubu’s role in resisting the military’s dissolution of the Senate after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He humorously remarked that Tinubu, who was then a senator, was “tormented” by the military, including Babangida, for his attempts to reinstate the Senate, even suggesting that Tinubu was at the event to honor one of his tormentors.
However, Onanuga, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, rejected Osinbajo’s characterization of Babangida. He emphasized that Babangida had actually been a significant source of inspiration for Tinubu’s political career.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s resistance to the military government, and the political course he charted thereafter, was deeply influenced by Babangida’s leadership and the broader political context of that era.
“I think the former Vice President got it wrong. I think Babangida was not really a tormentor of President Tinubu, don’t forget that President Tinubu said in his own extempore speech that he held Babangida as something, that he was the person that inspired him to get into politics.
“When Babangida came in, he was talking about new breed politicians and so on, and Tinubu like many of them were already technocrats or in private business and so on. All of them came out to participate in politics, that was what brought him in. So, he came there to pay homage,” Onanuga said.
Onanuga clarified that the real torment began under General Sani Abacha’s regime, when Tinubu, alongside some colleagues, made an effort to reconvene the Senate in Lagos.
He also praised Babangida for eventually acknowledging that MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, although he noted that the admission came too late.
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President Tinubu promises renovations of Police Barracks, improving mobility, robust Police welfare package
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President Tinubu promises renovations of Police Barracks, improving mobility, robust Police welfare package
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration is working to enhance the nation’s security capabilities to effectively address the growing security challenges.
Speaking through his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the opening of the fifth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, President Tinubu emphasised the government’s commitment to improving the security infrastructure across the country.
The President noted that security is a key pillar for Nigeria’s socio-economic development, and his administration is focused on bolstering the operational readiness of security agencies. This includes providing the necessary equipment to handle emergencies and combat crime effectively.
“While the Nigeria Police Force is constitutionally empowered to maintain internal security, protect lives and property, and uphold public order, it is essential to recognise that security is a shared responsibility. Communities and citizens must actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society,” Tinubu stated through his representative, Senator Shettima.
He highlighted that no matter how well-funded or equipped the police force is, it cannot succeed without the active support and trust of the public.
“Public engagement and trust are central to the process of inclusive policing,” the President affirmed.
Further reaffirming his administration’s commitment, President Tinubu pledged to enhance the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity to meet its constitutional duties, ensuring it is both effective and well-positioned to handle internal security.
He revealed that the federal government is focused on bridging gaps in security, infrastructure, and recruitment through a comprehensive program.
This initiative will include renovations of police barracks, improving police mobility, and upgrading essential combat and protective gear.
Additionally, Tinubu emphasised the importance of welfare for police personnel, pointing to the recent implementation of the new minimum wage as part of broader efforts to improve the living conditions of the Nigerian workforce, including law enforcement officers.
He assured that his administration will continue to collaborate with police leadership to provide financial incentives and motivate officers to perform at their highest levels.
The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to reforming the country’s economic and security frameworks to restore investor confidence, stabilise the macroeconomic environment, and tackle inflation, marking his government’s multi-pronged approach to strengthening both the nation’s security and its economic foundation.
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