A report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has shown that international customers in countries like Benin, Togo and Niger Republic owe $5.79 million to the Nigerian government for electricity supply in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024.
The firms listed by the report are Paras-SBEE and Transcorp-SBEE both from the Benin Republic; Mainstream-NIGELEC from Niger; and Odukpani-CEET from Togo.
The agency said market operators (MO) issued an invoice of $15.60 million to four firms in three countries, however out of this amount, only $9.81 million was paid.
Nigeria sells electricity to neighbouring countries like Benin Republic, Togo, and Niger Republic through an international agreement.
The electricity regulator also said domestic bilateral consumers failed to remit N695.4 million out of N1.99 billion in the same quarter.
In 2024/Q2, the four (4) international bilateral customers serviced paid $9.81 million commutatively against the $15.60 million invoice issued to them for services received in the second quarter of the year.
“Similarly, the domestic bilateral customers made a cumulative payment of ₦1,295.90 million against the cumulative invoice of ₦1,991.30 million issued to them by the MO for services rendered in 2024/Q2,” NERC said.
NERC said some bilateral customers (domestic and international customers) made payments for monies owed from previous quarters (that is other than q2, 2024)
“Cumulatively, the international bilateral customers paid a total of $16.65 million; Transcorp-SBEE and Mainstream-NIGELEC have made payments towards all outstanding invoices from previous quarters,” the commission added.
Earlier in May, NERC said it has communicated the need for the Federal Government to intervene over the longstanding trend of non-payment and debts by international customers, and others to the power sector.