Gwagwalada residents decry electricity billing

Residents of Kutunku in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT have described as “outrageous” electricity billing by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). Some of the residents said they were issued bills reading high amounts despite poor electricity supply to the area. Residents who spoke with newsmen, described the development as worrisome, adding that it […]

Residents of Kutunku in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT have described as “outrageous” electricity billing by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

Some of the residents said they were issued bills reading high amounts despite poor electricity supply to the area.

Residents who spoke with newsmen, described the development as worrisome, adding that it was not in the interest of the masses.

They said issuing outrageous bills despite the epileptic power supply had hindered economic activities and destablised social life of the people.

A landlord in the area, Musa Bala, said despite the overbilling, several electricity poles, cables and other facilities situated along New Kutunku Road were in poor condition.

Another resident, Sarah Tukurah, said, “The power supply is normally restored late at night and at the end of the month one will be given a high bill to pay.

“We want AEDC to provide us with prepaid meters so that we can have the value of our money.”

Another resident, Joseph Gado, said electricity consumers in the community were given crazy bills despite having poor supply. How can AEDC bring between N6,000 or N7,000 to a two-bedroom flat in a month when the supply is not stable. We are being forced to pay for electricity we never consume; this is extortion. We demand for transparency in the billing,” he said.

The General Manager, Corporate Communication of AEDC, Fadipe Oyebode, said the company did not bill its customers arbitrarily.

Oyebode said the affected areas were isolated for safety, adding that there were cases of wrong connection by some residents in the area.

“We bill according to the energy delivered and it is surprising to hear some of our customers complain about outrageous billing and shortage of power supply,” he said.