*Power distribution transformer.
28 May 2016, Abuja — Abuja communities under the umbrella of the Abuja Forum of Electricity Consumers, AFEC, have protested over what they describe as overbilling of electricity consumption by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC.
The forum, made up of Kuchigoro, Karmajiji, Durumi, Galadimawa, Dutse, Kabusa and other communities, said most residents had been disconnected because they could not afford to pay the new tariffs.
Chairman of the forum, Bawa Dogo, who led the peaceful protest urged the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, to intervene in the issue.
Bawa said the hike in electricity bill has come at a time that the residents were facing hardship.
He said the distribution company increased tariff without renovating electricity infrastructure in the communities.
“They should properly deduct payments made by consumers, which they have not reflected in their bills. They should also repair or replace electricity equipment within the communities and provide metres to consumers within the FCT,” he said.
He said members of the forum had written severally to the AEDC contesting their illegal billing, describing the charges as not only callous but contrary to the National Electricity Regulation Council (NERC) rules.
*Taiwo Adeniyi – Daily Trust
