Financial Energy Review
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has warned power users about the illegal tampering of electricity facilities, emphasizing that offenders could face significant penalties under the new 2023 Electricity Act.
In a recent statement on its social media platform, NERC outlined the legal consequences for various offenses, including unauthorized connections and meter tampering. Offenders may face a jail term of up to three years or fines reaching N500,000, along with an additional N10,000 for each day the offense continues.
The commission highlighted several key illegal activities under the new regulations:
1. Unauthorized Connections and Meter Tampering: Potential penalties include a three-year prison sentence and fines.
2. Assault on Electricity Workers: Offenders can incur penalties of up to N1 million or face six months in prison.
3. Damage to Electrical Materials: Engaging in meter bypassing or similar acts can result in up to three years in jail and fines of N300, 000, plus repair costs.
4. Unauthorized Electricity Business: This can lead to fines up to ten times the license fees or a prison sentence of up to five years.
NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba underscored the importance of compliance for ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply. In a recent meeting with representatives from Lafarge, Garba expressed the commission’s commitment to supporting energy initiatives and called for the formation of a technical team to explore energy scale-up requests.
The NERC’s emphasis on strict enforcement of the 2023 Electricity Act aims to enhance accountability and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
