SaharaReporters had reported that the Nigerian government had approved N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour tariff increment for Band A electricity consumers in the country.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has attributed the wrongful billing in the new tariff rates of some customers to a system glitch.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Nigerian government had approved N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour tariff increment for Band A electricity consumers in the country.
Band A are those who enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours per day.
The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Musliu Oseni, who made this known at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, had said the increase would see the customers paying N225 instead of the current N66 kilowatt per hour.
According to Oseni, customers in Band A represent 15 percent of the 12 million electricity customers in Nigeria.
However, the AEDC in a statement posted on its X handle on Thursday, apologised to its customers over the wrongful billing of the new tariff rate.
AEDC explained that some Band A customers were wrongfully charged while recharging their meters, while former Band A customers who had been downgraded to Band B were charged the new tariffs of N225 per Kilowatt Hour.
The statement reads in part; “This is to inform customers across the Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc franchise that we are aware of the wrong charges faced by some Band A customers who tried to recharge their meters following the new tariff regime.
“This was due to a system glitch caused by the reclassification of some Band A customers who have now been downgraded to Band B due to the number of hours of electricity supply enjoyed over the past few weeks.
“These erstwhile Band A customers who vended were charged the new tariff of N225 per Kilowatt Hour. Our team is working to identify the customers affected, and all excess charges will be refunded.
“The situation also saw some Band A customers who are now charged N225 vend at the old rate. Once the glitch is resolved, this category of customers will now recharge their meters at the new rate of N225, which will ensure they enjoy a minimum supply of 20 hours daily.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers during this change. We remain committed to improving power supply to all categories of customers, and we crave your understanding and support as we do this,” the statement added.