AEDC Defies NERC Order To Refund Incorrectly Billed Customers After Tariff Hike

AEDC Defies NERC Order To Refund Incorrectly Billed Customers After Tariff Hike

Despite directives from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has failed to comply with orders to refund customers who were incorrectly billed following the recent tariff hike…..READ ALSO NERC Fines AEDC N200 Million For Alleged Violation Of Electricity Tariff Guidelines

The controversy arose when the AEDC applied the electricity tariff hike intended for Band A customers to all customers, regardless of their bands. This resulted in widespread complaints from Nigerians.

In response, the AEDC attributed the billing errors to a system failure and apologized to affected customers. However, despite NERC’s imposition of a N200 million fine and an order for refunds by April 11, the AEDC has not refunded all affected customers.

Numerous customers have reported that they have yet to receive refunds for the erroneous charges. Ezekiel Umanah and Loveth Idugu are just two examples of customers who were incorrectly billed and have not been refunded by the AEDC.

In an exclusive statement to DAILY POST, Commissioner of Legal, Licensing & Compliance at NERC, Barr Dafe Akpeneye, urged affected customers to report their cases to the Commission for further action.

Kunle Olubiyo, President of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Network, confirmed that while some customers have received refunds, others are still waiting. Olubiyo lamented the unequal distribution of electricity supply, with many customers experiencing significant reductions in power availability despite tariff hikes.

Uket Obonga, the national secretary of the Network for Electricity Consumers Advocacy of Nigeria, expressed skepticism about the AEDC’s willingness to rectify the situation and advised affected customers to follow conflict resolution procedures outlined in the 2023 Electricity Act.

To facilitate energy token refunds, Obonga recommended that affected consumers formally lodge complaints with the AEDC and copy NERC and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). If no resolution is reached within two weeks, customers should escalate their complaints to higher authorities.

Professor Emeritus Wumi Iledare emphasized the need for NERC to enforce penalties for non-compliance and unethical business behavior. He also stressed the importance of a progressive approach to tariff hikes to ensure affordability and equitable access to electricity for all customers.

In conclusion, the failure of the AEDC to refund incorrectly billed customers highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector, including billing inaccuracies and unequal distribution of power. Effective enforcement of regulations by NERC is crucial to protecting consumer rights and ensuring accountability within the industry.

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