The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has stated that all consumers who were incorrectly billed at the increased rate should be repaid using energy tokens by April 11, 2024.
Days after the regulator allowed a tariff hike of more than three times for consumers receiving at least 20 hours of power supply each day, the distribution companies (DisCos) received this directive. The increase in the tariff from N68 to N225 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) has been met with widespread criticism.
In a statement released on Saturday, the regulator instructed all DisCos to give all impacted customers as much information as possible.
According to NERC, “All DisCos shall ensure that, for the purpose of vending to prepaid customers and billing for post-paid customers on their networks, only the newly approved Band A feeders listed in their April 2024 supplementary orders are maintained as band A.”
The authorised Band A feeder schedule that has been impacted by the rate review must be promptly posted by the DisCos on their websites.
According to the commission, “by April 10, 2024, all DisCos shall set up a portal on their website that allows all customers to check their current Bands by entering their metre or account numbers.”
It promised to keep an eye on regulations compliance and keep helping all parties involved as needed.
