The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has unveiled a comprehensive list of offenses and the corresponding penalties attached to them, via their official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
This development is in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Electricity Act 2023, which was signed into law in June. The new Act represents a crucial component of the Power Sector Reforms and aims to address challenges within the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry.
Here are some highlights of the offenses and their respective penalties as outlined by NERC:
- Impersonation Offenses
- Penalties: A fine of ₦300,000 or a prison term of at least 7 years, or both.
- Non-Compliance by Licensee
- Penalties: A daily penalty not exceeding ₦20,000,000 for non-compliance with the Commission’s Orders.
- Unauthorized Connection, Reconnection, or Meter Alteration
- Penalties: A jail term of not more than three years or a fine not exceeding ₦500,000, with an additional fine of ₦10,000 for every continuing day of the offense.
- Physical Assault on Staff of Licensed DISCOs (Distribution Companies)
- Penalties: A fine of up to ₦1,000,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both.
- Unauthorized Ownership or Engagement in Electricity Business
- Penalties: A fine of at least ten times the application and license fees for the contravened license, a jail term not exceeding 5 years, or both. Additionally, an order for permanent forfeiture of the undertaking to NERC.
- Intentionally Cutting off the Electric Supply Line
- Penalties: A fine of not less than ₦300,000.
- Aiding or Abetting an Offense
- Penalties: Vary based on the offense abetted or aided.
- Damage to Electricity Supply Material
- Penalties: A fine of ₦300,000 and restoration of the damaged material or line.
- Theft of Electricity (Tapping, Unlawful Connection, Meter Tampering, and Bypassing)
- Penalties: A 3-year jail term or a fine or both.
- Receipt of Stolen Electrical Property
- Penalties: A 14-year jail term or a fine of not more than three times the value of the stolen property or both jail term and fine.
- Acts of Non-Compliance or Contravention
- Penalties: A jail term of not more than three months or a fine of ₦500,000 with an additional daily penalty of not more than ₦100,000 for continuing offenses.
- Tampering with Electric Lines or Material
- Penalties: A 3 to 5-year jail term or a fine of not less than ₦500,000 or both.
- Non-Compliance with Rules, Orders, Licenses, and/or Decisions
- Penalties: A fine of ₦500,000 or a 3-month jail term, with an additional penalty of ₦100,000 for every day the offense continues.
- Destruction of Public Streetlights
- Penalties: A fine of up to ₦200,000.
- False Declaration
- Penalties: A fine of not more than ₦100,000 or a jail term of not more than 6 months or both.
These penalties, as outlined by NERC, demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring compliance within the electricity sector and addressing issues related to theft, vandalism, and non-compliance with regulations.