By Mohammed Bello Doka
Frustration is mounting across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has drastically increased electricity bills, with some residents facing hikes of 300% to over 500% in just a few months. This development comes against a backdrop of nationwide blackouts and multiple national grid collapses, leaving many communities in darkness. The increase has not been officially sanctioned by the government, leaving many residents baffled and enraged over the unexplained surge in their electricity costs.
The sudden upward adjustment in electricity billing began in July, when customers who were previously paying between ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 monthly suddenly found themselves saddled with charges of ₦40,000 or ₦50,000. The situation worsened in September, as a new billing regime saw the minimum charge soar past ₦100,000 for many residents, particularly those still on estimated billing due to the lack of prepaid meters. These residents have been left to endure excessive charges without any corresponding improvement in power supply, sparking outrage across affected communities.
Around the Airport Road and other areas in Abuja, AEDC's mass disconnection efforts have further aggravated the situation, leaving large swathes of neighborhoods without power. The result has been a wave of despair and anger as households struggle to make sense of skyrocketing bills in an already challenging economic environment.
"I am paying more than four times my previous bill, yet we don’t even have stable power," complained a distraught resident in Lugbe. "We don’t know why this increase happened or who approved it. It's like they’re competing with NNPC to see who can cause us more pain. At this rate, we are being driven into deeper hardship."
Another resident, a shop owner in Gwagwalada, shared her frustration over AEDC’s actions. "It feels like daylight robbery," she fumed. "I used to budget ₦12,000 for electricity, but now I’m charged almost ₦60,000. They have not even provided prepaid meters to give us control over our usage, and the supply remains terrible. If we’re to pay such amounts, then we deserve 24-hour electricity."
The timing of the unexplained tariff spike is particularly troubling for many, given that it coincides with other economic pressures, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the subsequent rise in petroleum prices, which have pushed inflation to record highs. Many residents are asking whether the AEDC and NNPC are engaged in an unspoken competition to inflict more hardship on Nigerians during these trying times.
The AEDC has not provided any official statement to justify the unprecedented increase, leaving affected customers in a state of uncertainty. Meanwhile, the absence of any government announcement on a tariff hike further fuels suspicions that the company may be acting without regulatory approval. This has led to growing calls for the government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to investigate AEDC’s billing practices and ensure that residents are not being exploited.
"For how long will Nigerians continue to pay exorbitant fees for services they do not receive?" questioned a local activist. "The government must address this issue. People are being billed as if they are receiving uninterrupted electricity, while in reality, many of them live in near-total darkness."
As Abuja’s residents grapple with escalating electricity bills and an unstable power supply, there is a pressing demand for transparency and accountability from the distribution company. With the country facing multiple economic and infrastructural challenges, it remains to be seen whether any action will be taken to alleviate the growing financial burden placed on households already struggling to make ends meet.
Tags
News