Oscarline Onwuemenyi
23 May 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Network of Electricity Consumers Advocacy of Nigeria (NECAN) has urged the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to install meters in Kabusa community in the Federal Capital Territory.
The President of NECAN, Mr Tomi Akingbogun, who made the call on Monday in Abuja, noted that electricity consumers faced the challenge of over billing and the purchase of transformers through community effort.
Akingbogun, who is also the President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), underscored the need to provide electricity consumers in the community with meters, to ensure accurate billing.
He said that, “The unfortunate thing is that even when there is no electricity supply for a week, those without meters are still charged and forced to pay.
“The solution is that AEDC should provide meters to all consumers in the community; this will eliminate the issue of over billing and avoidable conflict between the company and consumers.”
He advised that members of Kabusa community should be vigilant and report acts of vandalism of electricity installations to the appropriate quarters.
Akingbogun also advised electricity consumers to pay their bills when due, to avoid disconnection.
He maintained that the relationship between consumers and the distribution company should be cordial and mutually beneficial, with the consumers paying their bills and the company providing effective services.
He expressed the hope that electricity distribution across the country would soon improve.
“We believe that adequate and improved electricity supply to consumers across the country can be achieved because the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed in that regard.
“I feel that if those implementing the electricity policies in the country meter all consumers, things will move; Nigerians are interested in paying electricity bills but only what they have consumed.
“They will not want to pay for what they did not use; provision of prepaid meter is the only way out,” Akingbogun said.
