By Abidemi Samuel
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The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has come out to deny allegations of extorting customers over the ongoing STS 2-meter upgrade. In a statement, the company insisted that the programme is free for its customers and warned that no citizen should offer any financial gratification or other forms of gratification to anyone in the process of upgrading their meters to the STS-2 platform.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had earlier warned the Distribution Companies, DISCOs, to cease all activities related to the planned replacement of Unistar meters. The commission noted that some operatives were requesting money from unsuspecting citizens for the upgrade, which is against the directives of the FCCPC.
The EKEDC had earlier announced a deadline for customers to switch all meters to the STS-2 platform to continue recharging their meters. However, the company has restated that the STS-2 meter upgrade is free and that customers should not pay any money to anyone for the upgrade.
The FCCPC has also warned that any attempt by the Distribution Companies to proceed with the replacement of Unistar meters without complying with the directives of the commission will attract severe consequences. The commission noted that the approval of new meter prices by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has no connection with the proposed replacement of Unistar meters.
In a statement tagged “Obsolete Meters”, the FCCPC noted that the planned replacement of Unistar meters has been invalidated by both the FCCPC and NERC. The commission warned that any breach of the directive will attract stiff penalties in line with the provisions of existing consumer protection laws.
The EKEDC has assured its customers that the STS-2 meter upgrade is free and that they should not pay any money to anyone for the upgrade. The company has also warned that any operative who requests money from customers for the upgrade will face severe consequences.
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