INTRODUCTION

We, the undersigned residents and electricity consumers in Gombe State (Band A), hereby submit this formal petition against the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED Disco) over recent unauthorized deductions from our prepaid electricity meters.

STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE

All customers on the Band A in Gombe State are on prepaid metering systems. However, recently, upon attempting to recharge our meters, we observed that varying amounts (starting from ₦2,000 and above) are being deducted automatically from the value of electricity tokens we intend to purchase.

Upon contacting JED Disco customer care, we were informed that these deductions are being made as repayment for “preloaded units” allegedly supplied with the meters at the time of purchase. We were further told that this repayment has been structured into monthly deductions.

GROUNDS FOR COMPLAINT

1.      Lack of Prior Disclosure:

At no point during the purchase, installation, or activation of these prepaid meters were customers informed that the preloaded units were a loan to be repaid.

2.      Violation of Prepaid Metering Principles:

Prepaid metering, by definition, requires customers to pay strictly for electricity units they voluntarily purchase. The current deductions contradict this principle.

3.      Double Charging of Customers:

Customers paid fully for the meters at the point of acquisition. It is reasonably expected that this payment covers:

   i.      Cost of the meter

   ii.     Installation

   iii.    Documentation

   iv.    Any preloaded units included

4.      Improper Cost Recovery Method:

If any cost is associated with preloaded units, such cost should be recovered from the metering vendors or incorporated transparently at the point of sale not deducted arbitrarily from customers’ recharge amounts.

5.      Lack of Transparency and Consent:

The ongoing deductions were introduced without customer consent, official notice, or regulatory clarification.

IMPACT ON CONSUMERS

Ø  Financial hardship due to unexpected deductions

Ø  Reduced value for purchased electricity units

Ø  Loss of trust in the billing system

Ø  Confusion and dissatisfaction among consumers

LEGAL AND REGULATORY BASIS

This action by Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Company appears inconsistent with established regulations of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, including:

* NERC CAPMI & Metering Regulations:
Customers who pay for meters are not to be subjected to hidden or undisclosed repayment schemes.

* Order on Capping of Estimated Billing (2020):
Emphasizes fair billing and protection of metered customers from arbitrary charges.

* Customer Protection Regulations:
Electricity consumers are entitled to:
* Transparent billing
* Prior notice of any charges
* Fair and non-exploitative practices 

The deduction of funds from prepaid tokens without prior disclosure or consent violates these principles.

OUR DEMANDS

We respectfully demand the following:

1.      Immediate cessation of all unauthorized deductions from prepaid meter recharges

2.      Full refund of all amounts previously deducted from affected customers

3.      A transparent and official explanation from JED Disco regarding this policy

4.      Enforcement of consumer protection regulations by NERC

5.      Assurance that such actions will not recur without proper notice and regulatory approval

CONCLUSION 

We believe that this practice is unfair, non-transparent, and inconsistent with established electricity billing regulations under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

We therefore call on NERC to urgently investigate this matter and compel Jos Electricity Distribution Company to take corrective actions in the interest of consumers.