Many electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the transfer of their tariff to Band A despite not having 20 hours power supply.

The consumers, who reside in Kubwa, Lugbe and environs, told journalists in Abuja on Sunday that they were shocked to see themselves in Band A without any notice from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

Band A customers receive at least 20 hours of electricity supply daily and are expected to pay N209.5 Kilowatts (KWh) per hour.

The consumers also complained that they do not have the power supply for up to 10 hours daily.

Erica Ekama, a civil servant residing in Kubwa, said she was shocked when she recharged her metre and was given 22.2 units for #5,000.

Ms Ekama said the area she lived in, Kubwa does not get a power supply for 10 hours daily and that some consumers still bought at the old tariff rate.

She said, ”Why should I be paying for Band A services when I hardly get power supply for 10 hours a day? Why are some consumers in the same Kubwa still buying at the old rate? I don’t understand AEDC anymore.”

Mathew Ojei, also residing in Kubwa, said he experienced the same thing as he recharged #2,000 but was given just 8.2 units.

Mr Ojei said he was not on Band A, and if AEDC was putting consumers in that area on Band A, they should give them the services required.

”I am not on Band A; why am I paying so much for electricity when I don’t enjoy up to 20 hours a day power supply,” he said.

Osas Iwinosa told journalists that she recharged ₦5,000 and was given 22.2 units.

Ms Iwinosa said when she saw the units and inquired from her neighbours in the same compound if they were now on Band A, they said they were still buying the old rate.

”My problem is that how can there be five flats in a compound and only one flat is buying tariff of Band A, and others are still on the old tariff?

”I cannot understand the way the movement of consumers to Band A is taking place, so AEDC should please look into the issue and make amendments,” she said.

Also, a consumer residing in Lugbe, Omolara Taiwo, complained of the same movement to Band A.

Ms Taiwo said she did not understand why some people were in Band C and others in the same compound were forced into Band A.

She said AEDC should look into the issue, adding that it was not fair on those paying higher tariffs than others and having the same number of hours of power supply. 

(NAN)