NEDL disconnects Gwada, Erena feeders over unpaid bills …. Says host community status does not exempt consumers from payment

.... Describes as a misconception among some consumers in the affected communities, that their status as host communities to the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station exempted them from paying electricity bills.

The Niger Electricity Distribution Limited (NEDL) has disconnected electricity supply to the Gwada and Erena communities in Niger State over persistent non-payment of electricity bills.

The company said the disconnection, which took immediate effect, affected the 33kV Gwada and Erena feeders supplied from the 132kV Shiroro Transmission Station.

In a public notice, NEDL attributed the action to the accumulation of outstanding bills by customers on the two feeders, despite repeated engagements and interventions to encourage payment.

The company said it had issued disconnection notices to affected customers in July 2026, giving them an opportunity to settle their debts and regularise their accounts before the suspension of supply.

NEDL also addressed what it described as a misconception among some consumers in the affected communities that their status as host communities to the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station exempted them from paying electricity bills.

It stressed that living close to a power generation facility or residing in a host community did not automatically confer exemption from payment for electricity consumed.

According to the company, all customers supplied through its distribution network are required to pay for electricity in line with applicable tariffs and the prevailing regulatory and commercial framework.

The distribution company said persistent non-payment undermined the financial sustainability of electricity distribution and constrained its capacity to maintain and improve service delivery.

It added that continued operation of the affected feeders had become commercially unsustainable after exhausting reasonable avenues for customer engagement, sensitisation, debt recovery and amicable resolution.

NEDL said the disconnection was carried out in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and established industry procedures.

It urged affected customers to clear their outstanding bills and contact the company through its designated customer service channels to regularise their accounts and establish the requirements for restoration of electricity supply.

The company also called on community leaders, traditional institutions, relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to support efforts to improve payment compliance, protect electricity infrastructure and promote a sustainable power supply system.

NEDL reaffirmed its commitment to providing safe, reliable and sustainable electricity services, noting that achieving the objective required cooperation from all stakeholders and timely fulfilment of customers' payment obligations.