Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are lamenting the rising cost of electricity following the upgrade of more areas by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to Band A.
The development has forced some residents to cut back on electricity use, while others are turning to alternative power sources such as solar energy.
Abdul Uman, a security personnel in Garki, told reporters that the rising cost had made it difficult for him to use his air conditioner.
“I don’t use my air conditioner anymore; electricity has become so expensive. N5,000 worth of electricity no longer lasts me for one week.
“I have warned my children not to put on the AC in my absence. I have explained to them that if we have to use the AC, I will have to keep over N100,000 for electricity in just one month. It is unsustainable.”
For John Uba, a resident of Apo, the rising electricity cost has prompted him to invest in solar power.
“I am installing solar in my house. I am doing it bit by bit, but once I am done, I will forget about NEPA. Their cost is becoming too much,” he said.
While some FCT communities have been on Band A for some time, residents of areas recently upgraded to the category say the higher electricity costs are placing additional pressure on households and businesses.
The Nyanya-Karu axis is among the areas affected by the recent upgrade. At the Nyanya AEDC office, several residents reportedly visited to complain about the increased electricity tariff.
Grace, one of the residents, said she was surprised by how quickly her electricity credit was being consumed.
“I recharged N2,000 worth of electricity yesterday, and my meter was still blinking, so I was wondering what was wrong because, before, with this amount, the light would turn green, only for me to wake up today to hear the light crying. I am shocked.”
Residents who visited the Nyanya office were referred to the Karu office, where Mrs Obinna said AEDC officials explained that the area had been upgraded to Band A.
Aondoakura Mike, a laundry shop operator, said the change had significantly reduced the amount of electricity units residents receive for the same amount of money.
“They used to give 14 units for N1,000, but now it is four units for N1,000.”
He added: “It’s not as if electricity supply has improved in this area. Sometimes, we go a whole day without light. Nyanya is not supposed to be on Band A. How can an area that sometimes does not have electricity for up to two or three days be paying that much for electricity?”
Findings in the affected areas showed that electricity supply was average, with AEDC supplying power for between six and nine hours per day.
Residents also said they could not remember the last time their communities enjoyed uninterrupted electricity supply for 24 hours.
Band A is a service category under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), under which consumers are expected to receive a minimum of 20 hours of electricity supply daily.
The concerns raised by residents therefore centre not only on the higher electricity tariff but also on whether the level of supply in newly upgraded areas matches the requirements expected of Band A service.
