…Directs Customer Refunds
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has slammed a fine of ₦200,000,000 (Two Hundred Million Naira) on Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) for failure to comply with the prescribed customer band classifications for the tariff billing.
NERC, yesterday issued a Supplementary Order to the April 2024 Multi-Year Tariff Order, mandating the DisCos to ensure an effective service delivery in line with the new tariff regime.
However, NERC noted that the regulatory sanction follows a detailed review and customer feedback, which revealed that AEDC had applied the new tariff to all customer bands, contrary to the Order, which was designed to ensure fair billing practices.
The regulator, consequently, mandated AEDC to “reimburse all customers in Bands B, C, D and E respectively that were billed above the allowed customer categories/tariff bands provided in the Order.
“’Reimburse through the provision of the balance of customer tokens that the affected customers would be entitled to receive at the applicable rates and all token reimbursements shall be issued to the affected customers by 11 April 2024.
“Pay the sum of ₦200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) as a fine for the flagrant breach of the Commission’s Order.
“File evidence of compliance with the directives in a & c with the Commission by 12 April 2024”.
NERC said, the action underscores its commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring equitable practices within Nigeria’s electricity sector.
