An analysis of the latest monthly figures regarding overbilled customers shows that power distribution companies overbilled approximately 7.1 million unmetered electricity consumers between January and September 2023.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), a Federal Government agency, issued Regulatory Interventions for Non-Compliance with the Order on Capping of Estimated Billing to Unmetered Customers to the 11 Discos, revealing that they accrued over N105 billion from overbilling.

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According to figures computed, Yola Disco overcharged about 42,902 customers by N541.9 million, while Abuja Disco overbilled 1,823,218 customers, resulting in N17.9 billion.

Benin Disco, Enugu Disco, Eko Disco, Ibadan Disco, Jos Disco, Ikeja Disco, Kaduna, Kano Discos, and Port Harcourt Disco were also found to have overbilled their customers.

In response, NERC announced that it would deduct N10,505,286,072 from the annual allowed revenues of the 11 power distribution companies during the next tariff review as part of sanctions for their non-compliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.

Furthermore, NERC issued an order, Non-Compliance with Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/2024/004-01 4), to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing.

The order mandates Discos to issue credit adjustments to overbilled unmetered customers for the period of January to September 2023 by the March 2024 billing cycle.

Discos are required to publish the list of credit adjustment beneficiaries in national dailies and on their websites.

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The report highlights the ongoing complaints by electricity consumers regarding excessive estimated bills by power distribution companies in Nigeria. In the third quarter of 2023, customers lodged a total of 333,947 complaints related to metering, billing, and service interruptions.

These complaints surpassed the figures recorded in the preceding quarter. The most frequent issues reported include metering, billing, and service interruptions.