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SuNERC to compensate under-supplied consumers
- Says compensation will be monthly
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said the Commission would begin compensating consumers for the failure of the Distribution Companies (DisCos) to provide adequate supply in line with the provisions of the Service-Based Tariff (SRT). Speaking at the just-concluded Power Dialogue, the General Manager Markets Competition and Rates, NERC, Mr Abba Terab, said the Commission would begin enforcing the compliance amongst the DisCos. The Service Reflective Tariff (SRT) stipulates the minimum supply hours for electricity consumers based on their tariff bands.
According to the Commission, the number of consumer complaints on the failure of DisCos to supply the required minimum average per tariff band has risen since the implementation of the SRT began. Consumers have complained that the DisCos face no penalties when in breach of the regulation. The Commission plans to compensate consumers who do not get the minimum supply as stipulated in the SRT provisions. Consumers who do not receive minimum hours of supply will be entitled to a refund and downgraded to a new tariff band.
“We believe that by the time we carry out the minor review, this will be done. When the automation of the meters is done, compensation will be on a monthly basis. If over a period of six months a customer does not get minimum service, he will get a refund on a monthly basis for the energy”, Mr Terab said.