The senate yesterday urged the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to immediately enforce the abolishment of fixed charges being collected from electricity users across the nation.

The Upper House also urged the NERC to inquire into numerous complaints before it by consumers in line with the provisions of Section 74, subsection (1)( b) of the Power Sector Reform Act

The lawmakers also urged the Electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to discontinue the practice of compulsory bulk metering of villages and communities in the rural areas as a consumer should have the right to elect to be part of the bulk metering scheme or not.

They called on the NERC to sensitise electricity consumers on the options available to them in the event of inefficient services by the distribution companies, and also urged them to comply with the Power Reform Act and from time to time forward progress report to the National Assembly.

These resolutions were sequel to the motion jointly sponsored by Senator Sam Egwu and David Umaru titled ‘Unfair Trade Practices of DISCOs in Nigeria.’ Leading the debate Egwu lamented that the DISCOs, since the takeoff of their operations, has been ripping off consumers through fixed charges and bulk metering across the country.