By Becky Momodu
Niger Electricity Distribution Limited (NEDL) has clarified that communities hosting the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station are not automatically exempted from paying electricity bills, insisting that all customers connected to its distribution network must fulfil their payment obligations.
The Company made the clarification following the disconnection of the 33kV Gwada and Erena feeders from the 132kV Shiroro Transmission Station over persistent non-payment of electricity bills by customers served through the feeders.
In a public notice on Friday, NEDL said some consumers in the affected communities believed their status as host communities to the power station exempted them from paying for electricity.
The Company, however, explained that living close to a power generation facility or within a host community does not, in itself, confer exemption from electricity payment obligations.
“NEDL is aware that some consumers in the affected communities believe that their status as host communities to the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station exempts them from paying for electricity.
“For clarity, proximity to a power generation facility or residence in a host community does not, in itself, exempt customers from paying for the electricity they consume. All customers supplied through NEDL’s distribution network are required to pay in accordance with applicable tariffs and the prevailing regulatory and commercial framework”, it said.
According to NEDL, customers are required to pay for electricity consumed in line with applicable tariffs and the prevailing regulatory and commercial framework.
It noted that persistent non-payment threatens the financial sustainability of electricity distribution and affects the company’s ability to maintain and improve service delivery.
The distribution company said it had made several attempts to resolve the issue through customer engagement, sensitisation, payment recovery and amicable settlement before resorting to disconnection.
It added that affected customers were issued disconnection notices in July 2026, allowing them time to settle their outstanding bills and regularise their accounts.
NEDL said the continued accumulation of unpaid bills had rendered the operation of the Gwada and Erena feeders commercially unsustainable, leading to the immediate disconnection.
The company urged affected customers to pay their outstanding bills and contact its customer service channels to establish the requirements for the restoration of electricity supply.
It also appealed to community leaders, traditional institutions, stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to support efforts to encourage payment compliance and safeguard electricity infrastructure.
NEDL maintained that sustainable electricity service delivery depends on cooperation among all stakeholders and the timely fulfilment of customers’ financial obligations.
