The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has fined eight Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCoS) ₦628 million for overbilling unmetered customers between July and September 2024.
The sanctioned DisCoS are Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola.
In a statement signed by the Management of NERC on Thursday, the sanction is pursuant to section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 2003 (“EA 2003”).
“The public may recall that in 2020, the Commission issued the Order on Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/1997/2020) and subsequently issued monthly energy caps which aimed to align the estimated bills for unmetered customers with the measured consumption of metered customers on the same supply feeder.
“A review of DisCos’ billing of unmetered customers for July to September 2024 (2024/Q3) revealed non-compliance with the monthly energy caps issued by the Commission.
“The non-compliant DisCos have been sanctioned to pay fines amounting to six hundred and twenty-eight million, thirty-one thousand, five hundred and eighty-three naira and ninety-four Kobo. (₦628,031,583.94), which is equivalent to 5% of the naira value of the gross overbilling for the period under review,” the statement partly reads.
The Commission also mandated the DisCos to issue commensurate credit adjustments to all customers affected by the overbilling by May 15, 2025 to the end of the April 2025 billing cycle.
It reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
