Band A electricity customers, who are supposed to enjoy uninterrupted power supply, are up in arms against Distribution Companies (DisCos) for exorbitant electricity bills despite experiencing frequent and prolonged power outages.
The customers, who are typically industries and commercial establishments, have accused the DisCos of imposing exorbitant charges while failing to provide the reliable power service they are contracted for.
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“We are being fleeced by these DisCos,” said Tayo Adebayo, the managing director of a manufacturing company in Lagos. “We pay exorbitant tariffs for a service that is practically non-existent. The constant power outages are crippling our businesses and impacting our productivity.”
For Band A customers, the frustration stems from a glaring mismatch between what they pay and what they receive. While tariffs for this category can be as high as N116 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), many customers report receiving far fewer hours of electricity than promised.
In some cases, power supply has been as low as 6 to 8 hours a day, leaving businesses and households to rely on expensive alternatives like generators.
“I run a small bakery, and electricity is critical for my operations,” says Funmi Adebayo, a Band A customer in Abuja. “I pay over N100,000 monthly for electricity, but I still spend almost the same amount on diesel for my generator. What is the point of being in Band A if I’m not getting the service I paid for?”
Despite the erratic power supply, the DisCos continue to issue hefty bills, often based on estimated consumption rather than actual meter readings. This practice has left many businesses reeling under the weight of unsustainable electricity costs.
“The DisCos seem more interested in collecting revenue than providing reliable service,” complained Mrs. Olayinka, owner of a small-scale textile factory. “We are struggling to stay afloat, and these exorbitant bills are only adding to our woes.”
Ikeja DisCo apologises for shortfall
Ikeja Electric on February 7 issued a public notice to inform its customers in the Ojodu, Alagbole, and surrounding areas of an ongoing power disruption caused by a load limitation from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
According to Ikeja Electric, the issue stems from a fault on the Ogba 100 MVA transformer, which has impacted several feeders under the Ikeja Business Unit.
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The affected feeders include Ojodu 11kV, Alagbole 11kV, King Avenue 11kV, Express 11kV, River Valley 11kV, Yakoyo 11kV, and New Ojodu 33kV. This forced outage has led to an interruption in power supply for customers in these areas.
“We understand the challenges this disruption has caused and are doing everything within our power to address the situation promptly,” the statement read. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers during this time.”
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