NewStats: 3,261,656 , 8,174,655 topics. Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 11:32 PM 332z3i

Osgilliat:
First, only allow your meter provider official to inspect your meter, never allow those ones that wear uniform ie ikeja electric uniform to inspect your meter. They are not authorized to check your meter, bad ones among them use scope tk check your meter and then by it without your consent. They will they go behind your back to report you to meter official who will now fine you and put you on direct connection which means you will be getting huge bills to pay every month(the main motive).
Back to your matter, the guy that install your meter did you dirty. He was the one that by it without your consent then likely reported you meter officials. As you can see he is already helping you out to retrieve your wire.your wire is your property, they shouldn’t have taken it away. They should have used it connect you direct.
You can’t repair the meter anymore. It’s been deactivated from their own side.
Negotiate with them on the fine, pay it and request for another meter. That’s the only way out.

These Phcn are ripping people off but their time are coming to an end soon. Once states starts to oversee their activities themselves, hopefully things will change.

Abeg, what is a "meter provider official?" Do you know what the Nigerian Metering Code says about access to meter inspection and ownership? You are here advising a customer not to allow a uniformed staff of a Disco from accessing the meter. That is ignorance in full display. You are liable to be disconnected from supply if anyone hinders an identified staff from doing their job.

@OP, the issue here is not only the allegation of tampering but also a case of "overdraft" or negative reading. From the document issued to you, the officer is also stating that your meter read about 690units in the negative, meaning you were enjoying supply even after the last unit u vended ran out. In this case, the meter was supposed to cut supply but it did not maybe due to faulty relay or something else.

I don't know why the meter was removed and given to you but I would advise u to go their office as directed and request they show you the tampering in clear . You may record the exercise incase of further dispute. Also ask for confirmation of the negative units already consumed cos obviously you have not vended in a while which may have flagged your .

Summarily, tampering is now a serious offence under the new electricity act so be careful make dem no use u shine.

Shalom.

Your installer did you dirty. What he should have done (unless he does not know about it - i doubt) was to help you code that meter. There is a code they put after installation that will make your units to count slower.

When you say you were not aware, the question is have you been buying tokens from IBEDC? If you have, then you should have presented all the tokens you've been buying. If you haven't , then you are very much aware and very culpable. If you have been buying, then what's the usage like? I know when my units will finish and how we use it. What's yours like? If you had no complaints when you noticed you weren't purchasing units/tokens frequently while having power constantly, then oga, you are aware.

So, go and pay your fine. Like someone said, you could come up with a monthly plan but I'll advice you pay them to come and fix it for you so you won't hear stories that touch next time. Let IBEDC come and fix it. We paid 20k as at then for them to fix ours when we first got our meters. They'll fix your too and it's not part of the money you were fined o.

Na this kain people de come UK de complain about things being put in the right order
U committed a crime but can't pay the fine, would you rather do the time?
CRIMINAL!

Father4all:
The meter is no spoilt. They just put bill on it. They removed your wire so that you won't reconnect it. Best thing is apply for a new that is you will be collecting bill. Make sure you change your address before you apply for a new . When they give you the first bill, bring it to me I will help you get a new meter in less than 3 months

Sir I'm interested what the cost of a new meter , can you get it for In a month

Sorry . . .

Please what is the penalty in the new electricity act?

asapeola:


Abeg, what is a "meter provider official?" Do you know what the Nigerian Metering Code says about access to meter inspection and ownership? You are here advising a customer not to allow a uniformed staff of a Disco from accessing the meter. That is ignorance in full display. You are liable to be disconnected from supply if anyone hinders an identified staff from doing their job.

@OP, the issue here is not only the allegation of tampering but also a case of "overdraft" or negative reading. From the document issued to you, the officer is also stating that your meter read about 690units in the negative, meaning you were enjoying supply even after the last unit u vended ran out. In this case, the meter was supposed to cut supply but it did not maybe due to faulty relay or something else.

I don't know why the meter was removed and given to you but I would advise u to go their office as directed and request they show you the tampering in clear . You may record the exercise incase of further dispute. Also ask for confirmation of the negative units already consumed cos obviously you have not vended in a while which may have flagged your .

Summarily, tampering is now a serious offence under the new electricity act so be careful make dem no use u shine.

Shalom.

Xisnin:

So, you think investing millions of Naira on solar is better than public grid?

Not millions but million or less.
Yes far far better than phcn with sense.

Dear Friend,
You fail to provide us on how much your paying on meter recharge. If you are buying credit as at when need explain to us.

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Walezy2020:
It's a pity electricity providers dont want customers to get meter I will don't why
They made it difficult to get,even tarrif hike na wahala in some areas,they are collecting money indirectly for increase in supply that's why they came up with Bands(A,B,C etc)
Tell me the rate @ which Mr A & B consumes energy is it not the same?but like I said earlier they are collecting money indirectly because supply had improved..,they are extorting the masses & still be complaining of not making gains

When we say an average Nigerian is a criminal una go dey blame only government, all of sudden you don't know how your meter was illegally byed they caught you and fined you w no still do you, you have started going behind to still illegally fix your meter and by your fine instead of trying to clear out your previous crime, if them jail you now you say them dey oppress you and na politicians be the problem

Na why them don come up with this


😂 😂 😂

vikgreen01:
Dear nairalanders
I hope you all are well.
I bring to you this issue I am currently facing, a squad of meter monitoring team bursted my apartment and while a check was carried out on the meter, it was discovered that it has been internally byed which was totally unknown to me. After dragging back and forth, and the official who got the meter for me was involved, I was disconnected, meter removed and handed to me, wire taken away, and a sum of 451k was slammed as fine.
Recently, the official who got the meter for me reached out to me, he told me I should bring 30k to retrieve the wire and when I asked him what about fixing the meter, he'd brushed me off.

During the heated argument with the meter monitoring team, I was told some wires has been cut off inside the meter which I am sure it wasn't from me.

I would like to know if this meter can be fix by a technician so it can continue to work normally rather than taking it to their office where I don't know what else they would charge me in the cause of finding solutions to the meter.

Thank you.

as long as they’ve slammed you with a fine you can’t make use of the meter without paying unless you by the meter again which will likely land you in more trouble if caught

otipoju:


The correct word and spelling is " feasible ". Or you could use another word called " viable "

correction duly noted...

ibtommy:
.
Imagine! I keep telling people that majority of our people are VERY WICKED & DUBIOUS in their disposition. The guy byed your metre without your consent and still wants 30k bribe? We can't grow a nation like this! Is this the fault of Bubu ir Tinub? Why won't politicians embezzle (our) public funds? Why won't they treat us rats when we ourselves are wicked to our fellow men? It's well,brother. I can imagine what you're going through. Help will come your way.

I am just tired and angry. This is a family friend for that matter, a senior NEPA official. A branch manager of one of the territory close to my proximity. He no more has my respect....

vikgreen01:


I am just tired and angry. This is a family friend for that matter, a senior NEPA official. A branch manager of one of the territory close to my proximity. He no more has my respect....

.
That's huge!!!

IyfeNamikaze:
How was your meter byed and you're not aware of it? There's no way your meter could have been tampered with without you being aware of it at least to some extent. Because you should have noticed that through your consumption, if your consumption is reading a lot lower than it is supposed to then you should have known that your meter has been byed, and if you have been using light for free then there's no way you can claim not to be aware of the tampering since you're the first of that meter.

There's something you're not telling us.

Like I rightly said early on, I wasn't aware. It was the official who brought the meter also happens to bring the technician that install the meter for me. While I also noticed the meter not triggering off after a month it was installed I ran to him to complain and he told me probably the free unit that do come with new meter are still on it. Not long to that, while the meter hasn't trigger off, I recharge on the meter, it was then I noticed the meter was reading a negative value. I ran to him to still complain which he never heed to my complaint and I eventually got bursted by a meter monitoring team....
He got involved and he clearly told me he won't want a meter issue to take his job from him yet he's not giving a possible solution....

You are still in early 2000s....It does not cost up to that. In fact, certain packages are not even up to a million.

AareGaa:


Solar that will power your fridge well might cost you up to ₦2m.

The best thing is to pay the fine and stay on disco.
This will teach you a lesson to be careful next time.

vikgreen01:
Dear nairalanders
I hope you all are well.
I bring to you this issue I am currently facing, a squad of meter monitoring team bursted my apartment and while a check was carried out on the meter, it was discovered that it has been internally byed which was totally unknown to me. After dragging back and forth, and the official who got the meter for me was involved, I was disconnected, meter removed and handed to me, wire taken away, and a sum of 451k was slammed as fine.
Recently, the official who got the meter for me reached out to me, he told me I should bring 30k to retrieve the wire and when I asked him what about fixing the meter, he'd brushed me off.

During the heated argument with the meter monitoring team, I was told some wires has been cut off inside the meter which I am sure it wasn't from me.

I would like to know if this meter can be fix by a technician so it can continue to work normally rather than taking it to their office where I don't know what else they would charge me in the cause of finding solutions to the meter.

Thank you.

you think we are all kids here right? you did the dirty and got caught, own up and move on, pay the damn fees lick your wounds and learn from it. Meters are brand new from the box when installed. They are unboxed and you have to them, We all go fru same damn process, so this little pry 2 story you just told do not wash. You need a new meter ,so go and pay and acquire a new one simple,

vikgreen01:


Like I rightly said early on, I wasn't aware. It was the official who brought the meter also happens to bring the technician that install the meter for me. While I also noticed the meter not triggering off after a month it was installed I ran to him to complain and he told me probably the free unit that do come with new meter are still on it. Not long to that, while the meter hasn't trigger off, I recharge on the meter, it was then I noticed the meter was reading a negative value. I ran to him to still complain which he never heed to my complaint and I eventually got bursted by a meter monitoring team....
He got involved and he clearly told me he won't want a meter issue to take his job from him yet he's not giving a possible solution....

Story for the gods

bassdow:
if I were in your shoes, and can afford it, DUmp them and go 100% Solar.

trying to make amends by dancing to their tune means they WoN, hence likely to repeat same game again.

I sacked NEPA / PHCN while a tenant long while Yaradua was still the president. I was using Solar 100% yet continued paying NEPA bill to my landlord as him no gree hear. me gan no mind.

What they didn't know is, I was never gonna stay there forever. Since then till Now, I run Solar 100% and have even Sacked my Landlords as I now own my own place.

You're doing well sir...
Those NEPA are just wicked soul...

Father4all:
don't understand

wic area . Driving and texting thenp

twosquare:
Relax, breathe and stop disturbing yourself. It's not your fault but theirs. I was once slammed a fine for a meter they took themselves to repair. When they came, no meter there, they said na illegal connection. 250k straight. Shishi I no pay.

The person in charge came himself to refix it.

Now, which options do you have?

1) Pay mugu money in installments, which does not mean they will fix the problem. Some of those meters, when they have problems, difficult to fix.

2) Like 1Alex suggested, get a power station and solar to use light. Do not engage them

Thank you so much for your wonderful input.

Osgilliat:
First, only allow your meter provider official to inspect your meter, never allow those ones that wear uniform ie ikeja electric uniform to inspect your meter. They are not authorized to check your meter, bad ones among them use scope tk check your meter and then by it without your consent. They will they go behind your back to report you to meter official who will now fine you and put you on direct connection which means you will be getting huge bills to pay every month(the main motive).
Back to your matter, the guy that install your meter did you dirty. He was the one that by it without your consent then likely reported you meter officials. As you can see he is already helping you out to retrieve your wire.your wire is your property, they shouldn’t have taken it away. They should have used it connect you direct.
You can’t repair the meter anymore. It’s been deactivated from their own side.
Negotiate with them on the fine, pay it and request for another meter. That’s the only way out.

These Phcn are ripping people off but their time are coming to an end soon. Once states starts to oversee their activities themselves, hopefully things will change.

It seems you are their former staff

You know their tactics too well

kevoh:
First off, why do you need a 3-phase meter? If you are not living in a mansion with many load or run heavy machinery in your house you do not need a three phase meter. If it's the regular bungalow or apartment with regular appliances found in most homes in Nigeria, a single phase prepaid meter will do the job.

From your explanation, it seems the PHCN staff did you dirty. A by literally involves avoiding the meter and connecting wires directly which should be obvious to you except, of course, you are not telling us the full story.

Sometimes light in one phase goes off, or the current drops. You will then need to transfer the cut out unit to the phase with light or the one with stronger current.

erico2k2:

you think we are all kids here right? you did the dirty and got caught, own up and move on, pay the damn fees lick your wounds and learn from it. Meters are brand new from the box when installed. They are unboxed and you have to them, We all go fru same damn process, so this little pry 2 story you just told do not wash. You need a new meter ,so go and pay and acquire a new one simple,

You may choose not believe me but I am saying the truth. I know nothing, I paid for the meter also paid the technician that was assigned to install the meter, that's all..
To say the fact, the meter came blnewly inside a box, I still have the carton and accessories at hand.

erico2k2:

you think we are all kids here right? you did the dirty and got caught, own up and move on, pay the damn fees lick your wounds and learn from it. Meters are brand new from the box when installed. They are unboxed and you have to them, We all go fru same damn process, so this little pry 2 story you just told do not wash. You need a new meter ,so go and pay and acquire a new one simple,

Not all, as far as I know.

I have read all on this platform. Maybe it was done behind his back or not, there are meters that when they install it for you, your units will burn faster than normal because debt dey on top am. Either from the apartment or one they spread around to cover their deficit. Know this and know peace.

Na issue of thief dey outsmart thief.

twosquare:
Not all, as far as I know.

I have read all on this platform. Maybe it was done behind his back or not, there are meters that when they install it for you, your units will burn faster than normal because debt dey on top am. Either from the apartment or one they spread around to cover their deficit. Know this and know peace.

Na issue of thief dey outsmart thief.

You did not understand what happened there, When you migrate from estimated billing to prepaid, the debt owed follows you. Also if your meter was installed FOC the cost of the meter in included in future debits. The new meter has to be ed to a property and if there is any outstanding on the said property, it get debited to the new meter,But if you house is a new build like mine, you get free 2k token along with the meter once you pay and , I got 4 single face prepaid units and 1 three phase meter, for my house, so I'm not new to this.

happney65:
You know about the meter by or you dont know?

Talk true?

I am not aware at all. I just don't know how to explain myself...

nwirinedu:
It's obvious that you didn't through the right channels to procure your meter. You ve involved 3rd parties, The meter should have been checked for irregularities like these before and after installation. You can appeal the verdict if you have evidence to back up your claims.

This is a senior NEPA official and a friend to the family that's the reason I approached him. Where I should have learnt my lesson was when the first single phase meter he helped me to get got damaged too. During those period all meter were to be upgraded, the meter refused the kyc code and I was asked to go get a new one. Now the new one he got is a deficient meter too...

AdeOba11:


Sir I'm interested what the cost of a new meter , can you get it for In a month

. No, two month or two and half month. The main thing is to apply for a new bill. You will change your address. When the first bill comes out, we will use it to process the new meter.

stagger:


Sometimes light in one phase goes off, or the current drops. You will then need to transfer the cut out unit to the phase with light or the one with stronger current.

What you are describing is a single phase looped in three phases. It's a common practice in Nigeria and I'm quite aware of it. It's still a single phase.
In a three phase, all three cut-outs are positioned, no transferring anywhere and the loads of the house are distributed/balanced across the three differents phases to avoid overloading. This is a common practice in large houses, offices or buildings where heavy appliances are used simultaneously like A.C Units, photocopiers, Water Heater, industrial washing machine etc. or each phase dedicated to the floors of a building not regular houses where the highest consumer of power is a mere ceiling fan.