The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive instructing power distribution companies (DisCos) to refund all overbilled Band B customers by April 11, News About Nigeria reports.
This directive comes in the wake of complaints from customers not categorised under Band A, who are now being charged N225 per kilowatt-hour (KWh) for electricity.
Released on Saturday, the directive addresses grievances arising from the recent increase in electricity tariffs, particularly affecting customers outside Band A.
Earlier in the week, the Federal Government announced the discontinuation of subsidies on electricity consumed by Band A customers while maintaining the previous rates for others.
However, as DisCos updated their payment platforms, some customers in Bands B, C, D, and E reported being billed at the new tariff rate of N225/KWh.
In response, NERC has mandated all DisCos to refund affected customers and ensure that only the newly approved Band A feeders are maintained for billing purposes.
DisCos are also required to publish the schedule of approved Band A feeders on their websites and set up a portal by April 10 for customers to check their current bands.
Furthermore, NERC directed that refunds must be processed through energy tokens no later than April 11, with evidence of compliance submitted by April 12.
“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.
“All customers wrongly billed at the new rate should be refunded through energy tokens not later than Thursday, April 11, 2024, and file evidence of compliance with the commission by April 12, 2024,” the NERC ordered.
The commission stressed its commitment to monitoring compliance and providing necessary support to stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have voiced opposition to the tariff hike and the classification of some customers as Band A, which entails a 20-hour power supply.
