NERC Slams 8 DisCos with ₦628m Fine for Overbilling Unmetered Customers
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has imposed a ₦628.03 million fine on eight electricity distribution companies (DisCos) for violating the capped estimated billing regulations for unmetered customers during the third quarter of 2024.
The sanctioned DisCos include Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola, according to a statement released by NERC on Wednesday.
The commission said its review of customer billing for the July–September 2024 period revealed that the affected DisCos overbilled unmetered customers in breach of the energy caps prescribed by the regulator under the Capping of Estimated Bills Order (NERC/197/2020).
“The DisCos’ non-compliance attracted a sanction amounting to five percent of the naira value of the total overbilled amounts,” NERC stated.
The regulatory body further directed the DisCos to issue credit adjustments to affected customers no later than May 15, 2025, at the conclusion of the April billing cycle.
Invoking Section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 2023, NERC reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory enforcement and the protection of consumers within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
“We remain steadfast in ensuring DisCos operate within the framework of fairness and accountability,” the commission emphasized.
