NERC issues fresh directives to DisCos on new tariff regime

* Orders refund of amounts paid as excess bill

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued new directives to Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) on the implementation of the supplementary April 2024 multi-year tariff order.

The directives issued on Saturday were intended to clear the confusion that has trailed the implementation of the new tariff order amid complaints by consumers of unjust billing by the DisCos.

The NER, on April 4, approved increase in electricity tariff of customers on Band A enjoying 20 hour power supply across the country.

The commission said that other customers in Bands B, C and D are not affected by the increase

The Vice Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Musliu Oseni, at a press briefing in Abuja, said electricity tariff paid by Band A customers has been jacked up from N68/KWh to N225KWh

But some consumers have complained that their tariff have been jacked up to that of Band A even when they are not getting the required hours of electricity from the distribution companies serving them.

Thus, NERC ordered the DisCos to refund customers who have been wrongly billed not later than April 11, 2024.

It also ordered them to provide as much clarity as possible to all affected customers.

To clear the confusion, NERC directed the DisCos to implement the following updates:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. All DisCos shall set up a portal by April 10, 2024 on their website that allows all customers to check their current Bands by entering their meter or account numbers.

4. All customers 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.