Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Defies Regulatory Order, Fails to Refund Incorrectly Billed Customers

In defiance of a regulatory directive, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has failed to refund customers who were wrongly billed following the recent tariff hike. Despite orders from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), AEDC remains adamant, prompting concerns among affected consumers.

Initially, AEDC applied the electricity tariff hike meant for Band A across all customers, regardless of their designated bands. Following widespread complaints by Nigerians, AEDC attributed the issue to a system failure and issued apologies to its customers.

Consequently, NERC imposed a N200 million fine on the Disco for misapplying the approved tariff order and mandated a refund to affected customers by April 11, with a report submission deadline of April 12.

However, investigations reveal that AEDC has yet to fulfill its obligation of refunding all wrongly billed customers, despite the expiration of the deadline. Numerous customers have confirmed the absence of energy token refunds, expressing frustration and confusion over the delay.

Ezekiel Umanah, a resident of Dutse, Zone 6, recounted being wrongly charged the Band A tariff instead of Band B while purchasing prepaid units on April 3, 2024. Similarly, Loveth Idugu shared her experience of being incorrectly billed weeks ago and still awaiting a refund.

While some affected customers have voiced their grievances, others have reportedly received refunds. Kunle Olubiyo, President of the Nigerian Consumer Protection Network, highlighted the disparity in electricity supply, with Band B customers experiencing significant reductions despite tariff adjustments.

Responding to inquiries, Commissioner of Legal, Licensing & Compliance at NERC, Barr Dafe Akpeneye, urged customers yet to receive refunds to forward their cases to the Commission for necessary action.

Meanwhile, the Network for Electricity Consumers Advocacy of Nigeria emphasized the importance of following conflict resolution procedures outlined in the 2023 Electricity Act. They advised affected customers to lodge formal complaints with AEDC, copying NERC and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Expert opinions underscore the necessity for NERC to enforce penalties for non-compliance, emphasizing the need for equitable access to electricity amid tariff adjustments. Professor Emeritus Wumi Iledare stressed the importance of progressive tariff adjustments to ensure affordability for all consumers, while also advocating for full metering to minimize discrepancies and ensure transparency in billing.