Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Bands B to E have alleged discriminatory supply of electricity to their homes and business premises.
According to them, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is giving preference to consumers on Band A and neglecting those on other bands.
Consumers residing in Kubwa, Kuje, Dutse, and Gwagwalada made the allegation in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
They said the development had led to an epileptic power supply to those on other bands.
Erica Ekama, a civil servant and resident of Kubwa, said that from her investigation, she learnt that AEDC was concentrating more on Band A customers.
“For me, I think AEDC should put all consumers on Band A, instead of putting some on Bands B, C, D, and so on, and see if they will not pay for Band A.
“Many of us not on Band A feel that we are being discriminated against,” she said.
Joshua Okon, a civil servant also residing in Kubwa, said the government should focus on providing a reliable power supply to consumers instead of putting them on different bands.
He said that instead of concentrating only on those on Band A, electricity should be supplied to every household in the country, irrespective of where one resides.
Ijeoma Okafor, a resident of Kuje, said she was on Band B and corroborated what Mr Okon said.
Ms Okafor said that in Kuje, AEDC does rationing of power supply, adding that even on days when they were supposed to have a supply, there would be no light until very late at night.
“There should be inclusive power distribution for all residents, whether Band A or E,’’ she said.
Amos Osagie, a resident of Dutse, emphasised that consumers should pay based on the units consumed, not the number of hours that power was supplied.
“Government should find a way of providing a reliable and steady power supply to all Nigerians, and the tariff should be uniform, not satisfying some and leaving others unsatisfied,’’ he said.
Chika Okonji, also residing in Dutse, wants the price of electricity reviewed downward to create an equal tariff for all consumers.
Mr Okonji said a situation where some had a power supply for close to 20 hours a day and others don’t get it for more than two to five hours should be looked into.
Timothy Akpan, also residing in Dutse, stated that consumers on other bands were suffering due to a lack of a constant power supply.
Mr Akpan urged the government to stop the preference being given to consumers on Band A and implement a uniform tariff for all citizens.
Iguodala Amah, who resides in Gwagwalada, said that if the government decides to move all consumers to Band A, it would be the right step, provided the power supply is stable and consistent.
Under the existing framework, Band A customers, who are guaranteed 18 to 20 hours of electricity daily, pay N209.5 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while Band B customers pay N63 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Customers on Band C are expected to have 12 hours daily and pay between 45 per kWh and 47 per kWh, while those on D have a minimum of eight hours daily and pay between 32 per kWh and 43 per kWh.
Consumers on Band E get a power supply for a minimum of four hours daily and pay between 32 per kWh and 43 per kwh.
(NAN)