- Lagos Electricity Regulator Restricts Back-Billing Beyond One Year
- Says No Electricity Subsidy in Lagos, Consumers Must Pay Real Cost
- Ogunleye says Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to a cost-reflective electricity market
The Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission has said electricity distribution companies and other supply licensees operating in Lagos cannot recover electricity charges that are more than 12 months old, except under specific circumstances.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the commission disclosed this in a consumer awareness notice published on its official social media platforms as part of efforts to educate residents on their rights under the state’s electricity regulatory framework.
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According to LASERC, electricity suppliers are prohibited from collecting outstanding charges older than one year unless the customer was involved in meter tampering, illegal consumption of electricity or deliberately obstructed meter reading.
“Electricity supply licensees cannot recover charges older than 12 months, except in cases of meter tampering, illegal use and obstruction of meter reading,” the commission stated.
LASERC urged consumers to familiarise themselves with their rights and protections under the electricity market regulations, stressing that informed consumers are better protected against unfair billing practices.
The commission noted that the restriction on the recovery of old electricity charges is contained in Paragraph 35(1) and (2) of the Retail Electricity Supply Code.
The clarification comes amid growing complaints by electricity consumers over back-billing and attempts by distribution companies to recover charges dating back several years.
LASERC assumed regulatory oversight of the Lagos electricity market from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in line with the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023.
The commission has also maintained that electricity subsidies will not be sustained in Lagos, insisting that operators in the value chain must recover the actual cost of power supplied.
Speaking at LASERC’s maiden stakeholders’ forum in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Abiodun Ogunleye, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to a cost-reflective electricity market.
According to Ogunleye, all participants in the electricity value chain, including generation companies and gas suppliers, must be adequately paid to guarantee a sustainable power sector.
He added that LASERC is engaging federal authorities on gas pricing arrangements for electricity producers serving Lagos.
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