NERC fines Abuja Disco N200m for tariff infraction, directs customer refunds

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has imposed a fine of N200 million on Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) over non-compliance with the Supplementary Order to the April 2024 Multi-Year Tariff Order 2024 for power distribution companies (DisCos).

NERC, in a letter addressed to AEDC acting Managing Director, Victor Ojelabi, accused the Disco of flagrant breach of its Order to comply with the prescribed customer band classifications for the tariff billing.

Dated April 5, 2024, the letter reads in part: The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (“Commission”) has taken enforcement action against the Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (“AEDC”) for non-compliance with the Supplementary Order to the April 2024 Multi-Year Tariff Order 2024 for AEDC (the “Order”).

“AEDC has been fined ₦200,000,000 (Two Hundred Million Naira) for failure to comply with the prescribed customer band classifications for the tariff billing.

“This decision follows a detailed review and customer feedback, which revealed that AEDC had applied the new tariff to all customer bands, contrary to the Order, which was designed to ensure fair billing practices.

“Reimburse all customers in Bands B, C, D and E respectively that were billed above the allowed customer categories/tariff bands provided in the Order.”