NERC Issues Refund Deadline to 11 DisCos for Wrongly Billed Customers

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has set a deadline for 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to refund customers who were wrongly billed at the new tariff rate.

According to a document signed by Mr Abba Terab, the DGM of Market Competition and Rates at NERC, the DisCos have until April 11, 2024, to issue refunds through energy tokens.

The commission has also mandated that evidence of compliance be filed by April 12, 2024.

The directive comes in response to the recent implementation of a revised tariff structure, which led to confusion and incorrect billing for some customers.

To ensure transparency and fairness, NERC has instructed the DisCos to provide clear and detailed information to affected customers regarding the changes and their impact.

As part of the measures to address the issue, NERC has directed all DisCos to maintain only the newly approved Band A feeders as listed in their April 2024 supplementary orders for both prepaid and postpaid customers.

The DisCos are also required to publish the updated schedule of approved Band A feeders on their websites and create a portal by April 10, 2024, allowing customers to check their current bands by entering their meter or account numbers.

NERC’s decision to enforce a refund and compliance deadline underscores its commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring that the electricity sector operates in a transparent and accountable manner.

The commission has pledged to monitor compliance with the directives and provide support to stakeholders as needed.

The refund and compliance deadline is expected to help restore confidence in the electricity distribution system and demonstrate NERC’s commitment to addressing concerns and challenges faced by customers in the Nigerian electricity market.