Consumers tackle Abuja Disco over poor metering

Oppose fresh plans to increase tariff  

ELECTRICITY consumers are poised for a showdown with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) over plans to increase tariff.

Relying on a recent newspaper publication where the Disco placed a notice to that effect, the consumers said the firm had failed to provide efficient services and should therefore suspend any plans to increase tariff.

The consumers, under the umbrella Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN), have written the AEDC management asking it to address “customers dissatisfaction.” A letter by National President of ECAN, Chijioke James, also accused the utility firm of failing to meter over 50 per cent of consumers.

The letter noted: “After the emergency meeting of the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN), ECAN wishes to register its objection to your intention to review tariffs upwards at this stage on the following grounds:

•The constitution and the Electric Power Act 2005, which you relied on, gives a disco responsibilities to the consumers upon which they can rely to review tariffs as prescribed by relevant laws.

• Your persistent refusal to discharge your responsibilities to consumers within your jurisdiction makes it unjust, inequitable and impossible for you to rely on and or invoke the provisions of the law to take advantage of our consumers within your jurisdiction

• We wish to remind you that over 50 per cent of consumers within your jurisdiction are unmetered.”

ECAN further accused the Disco of collecting fixed charges and issuing estimated charges to consumers even when it had not provided the services.

The letter stressed: “ECAN, by this response to your publication, notifies you of its intention to commence a class action should you insist on going ahead to increase tariff under the current circumstances.

Particulars of infractions by you are already compiled and are awaiting your refusal to stay action without settling the issues herein raised.”