Electricity Consumers Protest as DisCos Hike Prices of Prepaid Meters

Electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have voiced strong opposition to the recent increase in prepaid meter prices by Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos). The price hikes, effective from November 5, follow a previous increase in August, and have raised concerns about the affordability of prepaid meters amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges.

DisCos announced that the price of a single-phase meter has increased from approximately N117,000 to N149,800, marking an increase of about N32,800. Meanwhile, the price of a three-phase meter has risen from N206,345 to as much as N236,500, depending on the distribution company and meter vendors.

Consumers expressed frustration over the price hikes. Mrs. Alice Ogar, a resident of Lugbe, shared her shock upon learning that the price of a single-phase meter had increased from N117,000 to N148,000. She had budgeted for the previous price and was unsure how to raise the additional N31,000 needed.

Other residents, such as Mr. Edem Okon and Mrs. Itohan Efosa, echoed similar sentiments, calling the price increase unfair, especially considering the economic hardships Nigerians are facing. Okon pointed out that his neighbor had purchased a three-phase meter for N206,345 in October, but by the time he went to buy his, the price had jumped to N236,500.

Mr. Frank Oloton, a resident of Kubwa, suggested that the government should provide free meters to consumers to eliminate the need for estimated billing, which many find to be a burden. Similarly, Mr. Jude Okolo feared that the price hikes would encourage DisCos to continue with estimated billing rather than meter installations.

Under the new pricing structure, customers in the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) will pay between N123,130.53 and N147,812.5 for a single-phase meter and N206,345.65 to N236,500 for a three-phase meter. Other DisCos, such as Ibadan, Kano, and Kaduna, have also raised prices for prepaid meters.

Consumers are calling for urgent government intervention to ease the financial strain caused by the rising cost of essential utilities like electricity.