From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Distribution Commission (NERC) has fined the 11 Electricity Distribution Commissions (DisCos) N9.129 billion for overbilling their customers.
The fine was contained under the September 2024 Supplementary Order of the Multi-Year Tariff Order of 2024.
A review of the documents showed that Abuja DisCo had the most fines, with N1.69 billion, followed by Eko DisCo, N1.41 billion, Ikeja DisCo was also fined N1.41 billion.
Others include Jos DisCo with N1.33 billion, Port Harcourt DisCo was fined N1.16 billion, Benin DisCo was fined N804 million; Enugu DisCo, N310 million; Ibadan DisCo, N15 million; Kaduna DisCo, N115 million; Yola DisCo, N54 million; Kano DisCo, N20 million and Ibadan DisCo, N15 million.
According to the order issued on August 30 by NERC, the Vice Chairman of the commission, Musiliu Oseni and Commissioner for Legal, Licencing, and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, said that the fine follows a comprehensive investigation into Abuja Electricity Distribution Company’s (AEDC’s) billing practices.
This penalty, NERC noted, is a response to the DisCos’ non-compliance with previous directives aimed at capping estimated billing for electricity consumers.
With the measures, DisCos are required to enhance their service delivery and adhere to service-based tariffs. Also, the companies must publish explanations on their website within 24 hours if they fail to provide a committed level of service on Band A feeders for two consecutive days.
This initiative, NERC noted, would bolster the reliability of electricity supply within their service area.
