Aba Power Limited Electric’s Illegal Billing of Disconnected Customers – Breach of NERC Regulations

Introduction

Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE) has come under fire for continuing to issue electricity bills to customers whose supply has been physically disconnected for non-payment. This practice not only breaches the trust of consumers but also violates clear provisions of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Customer Protection Regulations 2023.

The Case of Engineer Orji Obasi

“The last payment of ₦20,000 we made was on July 17, 2023. They cut our wires on August 5, 2023. We left it for them and they keep piling bills even when we had no wires on poles or anywhere.”
— Engineer Orji Obasi, Aba resident

Obasi’s experience is emblematic of a wider pattern: despite a confirmed disconnection, Aba Power Limited continued to generate bills for months, demanding payment for units of electricity that were never supplied.

NERC Regulations on Post‑Disconnection Billing

Regulation 6(2) of the NERC Customer Protection Regulations 2023 clearly states:

“Whenever a supply address has been disconnected for non-payment and a non-payment bill has been produced, the Distribution Company shall not bill any additional charges in respect of that supply address until after it has reconnected electricity supply to that address.”

In practice, this means that once a customer’s meter is cut off and a final disconnection bill issued, the DisCo must halt all billing until reconnection takes place.

Also Read: Residents Protest Prolonged Power Outage in Aba, Blame Aba Power Limited Officials

Why Consumers Should Not Bear the Burden

Some argue that disconnected customers must write to their DisCo to stop billing. This stance is both legally unfounded and logically absurd:

1. Legal Responsibility Lies with the DisCo.
   NERC’s regulations place the onus on the Distribution Company to cease billing post‑disconnection; no further action is required from the consumer .
2. Consumers Are Already Disadvantaged.
   Customers who default on bills—often due to financial hardship—are least capable of navigating bureaucratic hurdles to lodge additional requests.
3. Automated Billing Systems Should Detect Disconnections.
   Modern billing software, linked to disconnection orders, can (and should) automatically suspend charges when a meter is tagged “disconnected.”

Ethical and Regulatory Implications

• Erosion of Trust: Continued billing for no service undermines consumer confidence in the entire electricity sector.
• Consumer Rights: Every customer has the right to transparent billing and to contest any electricity bill .
• Penalties for Non‑Compliance: Under the NERC Regulations, any DisCo found billing disconnected customers may face sanctions, including mandated refunds and compensation in energy credits.

Call to Action for Consumers

1. File a Written Complaint with Aba Power Ltd’s Customer Care Unit, citing Regulation 6(2) of the CPR 2023.
2. Escalate to NERC Consumer Forum if the DisCo fails to rectify within 15 working days.
3. Petition NERC Directly for enforcement and possible compensation.

Conclusion

Aba Power Limited’s billing of Engineer Obasi—and many others—after disconnection represents a clear breach of NERC’s Customer Protection Regulations 2023. DisCos must be held to account, and consumers empowered to enforce their rights without undue burden. Only through strict enforcement and consumer vigilance can we restore fairness and trust in Nigeria’s electricity market.

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