IBEDC Makes Defence Hearing On Non-compliance With Capping Of Estimated Billing  

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Thursday made a defence hearing against a sanction contained in an order on non-compliance with estimated billing issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in February 2024.

NERC initially issued the order on capping of estimated billing in 2020 and reviews the compliance level periodically. The Distribution Companies (DisCos) were penalised this year for their observed non-compliance with the order spanning from January to September 2023.

The IBEDC Head of Billing, Mr. Ayoola Adio, indicated during the defence hearing held at the NERC office in Abuja that the distribution licensee frequently conforms with current requirements and that there was a discrepancy in the period for which the defaults were reported.

The managing director of IBEDC, Engr. Kingsley Achife, stated that he was learning from the defence hearing and that he was against overbilling customers. Dr. Musiliu Oseni, the vice chairman of NERC and chairman of the hearing panel, stated that NERC only decided to approve IBEDC's request to hold the hearing. Nevertheless, the appeal was filed beyond the sixty days allowed for the filing of an appeal against any regulatory judgement. He did, however, mention that the combined NERC and IBEDC team will reach a resolution point.