…Refuses to disclose total amount.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Kaduna Electric Company says it will not refund the over-billed customers in cash, but “use the amount to pay off customers’ outstanding debt,” the company spokesman, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, has stated.
The company also stated that, it’s of no use disclosing the total amount of money owed customers in its franchise area, as over billed, since they have the data to make the refund.
Abdulazeez Abdullahi, who is Head of Corporate Communication for Kaduna Electric, disclosed this, while exchanging views with our correspondent on Monday, saying, over-billed amount would be used to pay off customers’ outstanding debt with Kaduna Electric.
Recalled that, Kaduna Electric Company, which was sanctioned for overbilling its customers by Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and directed to refund the affected customers, had earlier issued a release of its readiness to make the refunds.
But, in a chat with journalists on Monday, the company explained that they have the data of those to be refunded, adding that, to enjoy the refund, customers must settle their outstanding debt.
In answer to another question, the spokesman said, “Kaduna Electric has admitted guilt of overbilling and is set to refund customers,” but added that they are yet to disclose the total amount of money to be refunded.
“To avoid fraudulently-induced refunds, we need to know the total amount involved as you equally know the amount of debt, and already asking for the payment as owed by customers. Thanks.”
Abdulazeez said, “Of what use is the total amount to you, Sir? We have the data of those to be refunded. To enjoy the refund, customers must settle their outstanding debt. Oga, it is not as if you are going to be given cash for the overbilling. It is going to be used to pay-off part of your debt, but you have to pay the remaining debt in full,” he stated.
“On alleged extortion and outcome of company staff demanding for money to upgrade Prepared Meters, that’s supposed to be free,” he said, adding that there was no extortion yet.
On question on “So what is the company going do with the staff extortion reports of customers already on ground? Or were they remitting to the authority?
The Electric Coy said, “Oga, calm down. No extortion here! Those meters have issues, which is why they are being asked to purchase tokens. The payment is not for the meter upgrade. Like I said, upgrade is fee.”
Also on ‘A situation where the totality of over-billing is much more than the outstanding debt?,’ the company could not respond till press time.