The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to refund customers wrongly billed with the new rate.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the Discos are eleven in number including Kano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO), Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC), Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDC) and Enugu Electricity Distribution Plc (EEDC).
Others are Ibadan Electricity Distribution Plc (IBEDC), Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JEDPLC), Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc (KAEDCO), Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc (PHEDC), Yola Electricity Distribution Company Plc (YEDC).
Abba Terab, NERC deputy general manager in charge of market competition and rates, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. He said customers should be refunded through energy tokens no later than April 11, and file evidence of compliance with the commission by April 12.
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On April 3, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.
The commission said customers under the classification, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, will pay N225 per kilowatt (kW), starting from April 3 — up from N66.
The NERC also directed all electricity distribution companies to provide as much clarity as possible to all affected customers.
“All DisCos shall ensure that only the newly approved Band A feeders listed in their April 2024 supplementary orders are maintained as band A for the purpose of vending to prepaid customers and billing for post paid customers on their networks,” Terab said.
“All DisCos are required to immediately post on their websites the schedule of approved Band A feeders that have been affected by the rate review.
“All DisCos shall set up a portal by 10th April 2024 on their website that allows all customers to check their current Bands by entering their meter or account numbers.
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“All customers wrongly billed at the new rate should be refunded through energy tokens no later than Thursday 11th April 2024, and file evidence of compliance with the Commission by 12th April 2024.
“The Commission shall monitor compliance with the requirements listed above and shall continue to provide support to all stakeholders as required.”
Recall that on April 5, NERC fined Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) N200m for overcharging customers. NERC said AEDC must reimburse affected customers by April 11.