The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive to all eleven electricity distribution companies in the country to refund customers who were wrongly billed at the new rate. The deadline for the refund has been set for April 11, 2024, and it should be done through energy tokens. The commission has also asked the companies to file evidence of compliance with the Commission by April 12.
The directive comes in the wake of a document signed by Mr Abba Terab, the DGM, Market Competition and Rates for the commission, which was made available on Saturday in Lagos. The commission has directed all Electricity Distribution Companies to provide as much clarity as possible to all affected customers.
In order to ensure that the refund process is carried out smoothly, the DisCos have been directed to implement some updates. All DisCos have been instructed to maintain only the newly approved Band A feeders listed in their April 2024 supplementary orders as band A for the purpose of vending to prepaid customers and billing for postpaid customers on their networks. They are also required to immediately post on their websites the schedule of approved Band A feeders that have been affected by the rate review.
Moreover, all DisCos must 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. Customers who were wrongly billed at the new rate should be refunded through energy tokens no later than Thursday, April 11, 2024, and file evidence of compliance with the Commission by April 12, 2024.
The Commission has stated that it shall continue to monitor compliance with the requirements listed above and provide support to all stakeholders as required.
