Despite recession and the accompanying hardship still biting hard on Nigerians, electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) have secretly increased electricity tarrif without the consumers’ knowledge.

An investigation by our reporter showed that the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) have already increased the tarrif for residential areas (R2s) from the previous N27.13/unit to N30.93/unit.

Attached below is an image of an elctricity bill delivered to a 2 bedroom flat household in Enugu town this March. The bill shows that the consumer is expected to pay N9,248.07 for “Energy Used in February, 2017” which according to the consumer was actually a haphazard supply.

Enugu EEDC March 2017 Bill

Before now, the EEDC with arguably the largest number of consumers in the country (serving Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states respectively) already has the highest tarrif at the previous N27.13/unit. This same EEDC has over the years tactically refused to meter the over 90% of her customers who are yet to be connected to prepaid meter billing system. The implication is that the consumers are left at the mercies of EEDC’s illegal estimated billing system which simply put, only extorts the consumers.

It is interesting to note that the EEDC is largely owned allegedly by an easterner, Sir Emeka Offor which begets the question; Is someone deliberately trying to milk his people dry?

Electricity consumers in the area has repeatedly stated their willingness to accept any tarrif rate provided prepaid meters are first supplied for accurate readings but the EEDC are obviously not ready for that and probably will never be.

There doesn’t seem to be any solution in sight as the Federal government represented by Dr. Tunde Fashola in the ministry of Power appear to be very docile. Recent statements credited to the minister shows that he is either helpless or clueless which is a very big disappointment for someone who once claimed that providing electricity for Nigerians shouldn’t be a rocket science.

With the FG not helping, who will bell the cat, then?

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