The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that more than 691,000 electricity users in the Southeast are still without meters under the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
Speaking at a customer complaints resolution forum in Awka, Anambra State, NERC officials said that of the 1,369,440 customers registered as of June 2025, 704,801 had been metered, while 691,639 remained unmetered — about half of the total customer base.
Chinedu Anyigor, Senior Manager at NERC’s Abuja office, described metering as one of the biggest concerns in the power sector. He encouraged consumers unhappy with estimated billing to take advantage of the Federal Government’s national mass metering programme, which is meant to ensure fairness.
“Some customers consume electricity without paying, creating heavy revenue losses for distribution companies. At the same time, many consumers are unaware of their rights to safe and reliable metering,” Anyigor explained.
Zubairu Babatunde, head of Customer Protection at NERC, said the ongoing meeting was designed to mediate between customers and service providers. “We can’t just sit at headquarters and assume all is well; this platform allows us to engage with consumers directly,” he noted.
EEDC Managing Director, Vincent Ekwekwu, represented by Chief Information Officer, Idika Okechukwu, admitted to operational challenges but pledged faster service. He promised that meters could be installed within 72 hours of request and assured customers that the company’s billing, metering, and complaint resolution teams were working to improve service delivery.
On safety, Dr. Francis Iwu, EEDC’s Group Head of Health, Safety & Environment, warned that many buildings in the Southeast lack proper earthing systems, a problem that has caused accidents, property loss, and inaccurate meter readings. “Safety may seem costly, but accidents are far more expensive,” he cautioned.
The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) also urged consumers to ensure their electrical installations are certified and that meters are tested by qualified professionals before use.
The three-day forum continues this week, bringing together regulators, operators, and consumer groups to address lingering issues around metering, billing, supply, and safety in the power sector.
