Electricity Regulatory Body Punishes AEDC With N200 Million Fine Over Tariff Increase

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has taken enforcement action against the Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) by imposing a fine of N200 Million
for failure to comply with the prescribed customer band classifications for the tariff billing.
AEDC is also being punished for non-compliance with the Supplementary Order to the April 2024 Multi-Year Tariff Order 2024 for AEDC.
The decision to punish AEDC, according to NERC, was taken after 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.
The regulatory body mandated AEDC to do the following immediately:
a. 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.
b. Reimburse through the provision of the balance of customer tokens that the affected customers would be entitled to receive at the applicable rates and all token reimbursements shall be issued to the affected customers by 11 April 2024.
c. Pay the sum of ₦200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) as a fine for the flagrant breach of the Commission’s Order.
d. File evidence of compliance with the directives in a & c with the Commission by 12 April 2024.
“The action by the Commission underscores its commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring equitable practices within Nigeria’s electricity sector,” NERC said in a statement.