The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to refund customers it wrongly billed in the wake of a new tariff.
NERC recently increased tariff prices for Band A subscribers, but several DisCos incorrectly charged consumers who do not fall within the spectrum at the new rate.
However, on Saturday, NERC granted the impacted DisCos until April 11, 2024 to repay their customers.
“All customers incorrectly 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,” NERC stated in a document signed by its DGM, Market Competition and Rates, Abba Terab.
It also required DisCos to “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 postpaid customers on their networks.”
“All DisCos must 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 metre or account numbers.”
NERC advised the DisCos against floating the directives.