The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to compensate communities in Kogi and Abuja for service delivery failures. The order stems from AEDC’s inability to meet the minimum electricity supply commitments required under the Service-Based Tariff (SBT) system.
According to a NERC document released on Thursday, affected areas include Wuse, Garki, and Asokoro in Abuja, as well as Ajaokuta Confluence in Lokoja, Kogi State. These communities, classified under Band A, were promised at least 20 hours of daily electricity supply but received less between August 1 and 25, 2024.
For example, the 132KV Central Area T/S_33KV FDR_B33_8B Wuse feeder recorded an average supply of only 16.52 hours, falling short of the Band A requirement. Consequently, NERC has ordered the feeder to be downgraded to Band B, along with appropriate compensation for the affected customers.
In Garki, the 132KV APO T/S-33KV FDR H2_G4_3B feeder, serving areas like Abuja Police Cantonment and EFAB Mall, provided an average of 18 hours of electricity. Similarly, the 132KV APO T/S-33KV FDR H2_G4_8A feeder serving Balargy in Garki, and the feeder in Asokoro, averaged 19.56 hours and 18.16 hours, respectively.
In Kogi State, the Ajaokuta Confluence Lokoja feeder supplied only 19.80 hours, below the Band A threshold.
NERC emphasized that AEDC must compensate these communities for the shortfall in service. The regulatory body has instituted a policy that any feeder failing to meet the required supply hours for seven consecutive days will be automatically downgraded, and customers must receive compensation.
Additionally, AEDC has been instructed to secure at least 61MW of embedded generation capacity, equivalent to 10% of its 2024 load allocation, to enhance supply reliability.
This directive is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to improve electricity supply and ensure that distribution companies meet their obligations to consumers.