The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ordered the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to refund N475,000 to Mrs. Ngozika Okolie, an 80-year-old widow and retired civil servant in Anambra State.
The refund stems from years of “crazy billing” deemed unjustifiable by the commission.
According to NERC, Mrs. Okolie’s outstanding balance prior to EEDC’s takeover from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was N72,000.
However, EEDC continued to bill her N5,000 monthly, even after she migrated to a prepaid metering system in 2023, resulting in an accumulated debt of N547,000.
NERC ordered EEDC to deduct the original N72,000 and refund the balance.
The commission also mandated that EEDC base future billings on actual consumption and not on estimated or arbitrary charges.
EEDC has one month to comply.
Mrs. Okolie’s ordeal began in December 2023 when her meter malfunctioned, leaving her household without electricity for almost six months.
EEDC accused her of meter tampering, fined her N104,000, and demanded N547,000 in arrears.
Comrade Osita Obi, Convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, criticized EEDC’s practice of inheriting PHCN’s assets while refusing to accept its liabilities.
He urged NERC to compel EEDC to deliver a second prepaid meter, which Mrs. Okolie’s husband had paid for but never received.
