Many consumers have requested electricity distribution companies also known as DisCos to disconnect them from power supply, lamenting that they can no longer pay their energy bills.
Most of the consumers opting for disconnection fall under the Band A and B categories and are postpaid customers.
Findings revealed that the consumers receive estimated billing ranging from N40,000 to N400,000, depending on the electricity gadgets and size of the house or shop.
This was as some prepaid consumers on Band A also found it difficult to pay for the electricity tariff, forcing them to stay in darkness for days.
The electricity tariff for Band A is N209.50 per kilowatt-hour, while that of Band B is N64.07 per kWh.
Band A’s minimum electricity supply hours are 20 hours per day, while Band B consumers enjoy 16 hours daily.
Nigerians have been lamenting the increase in electricity tariffs coupled with the high cost of fuel.
Many unmetered consumers continue to decry high estimated billing from their DisCos, resulting in their resolve to stay without power rather than accumulate debt for ‘unused energy’.
It was noted that the number of consumers asking DisCos to disconnect their electricity due to estimated billing had been increasing amid economic hardship.
A staff member of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity on Thursday, said the company disconnected between 15 and 20 houses every month based on requests from owners.
According to him, the affected consumers receive estimated bills of between N180,000 and N300,000 every month, regardless of the structure.
He said, “It is a common request from people, especially those on Band A who find it difficult to pay for electricity. Postpaid customers on Band A, who are frustrated with estimated bills of N80,000, N100,000, N200,000, N350,000, and above, have been requesting disconnection.
“On average, we disconnect 15 to 20 houses on request every month, and we suspend their accounts pending installation of prepaid meters. We recently disconnected some buildings at Ijedodo and areas in Okota based on requests. No Band A area is exempted from such disconnection requests.”
Speaking with reporters, a petty trader on Abija Street, Alekuwodo area of Osogbo, Osun State, Bisola Adeoye, said she opted for disconnection after she couldn’t bear the estimated electricity bill.
Adeoye stated that she usually received arbitrary estimated billing of between N200,000 and N300,000 for a single shop.
