Electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have demonstrated against the increase in the price of prepaid meters.
They also condemned the estimated billing they have had to contend with because Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) had made it difficult to purchase prepaid meters.
DisCos had announced the increase in the price of prepaid meters on their various official X handles, with effect from November 5, 2024.
The upward review was a result of an earlier hike in August, which further raised concerns among electricity consumers about affordability and accessibility.
The DisCos said the cost of a single-phase meter has increased from approximately N117,000 to as much as N149,800.
This amount indicates an increase of about N32,800, while the three-phase meter rose from N206,345 to about N236,500 depending on the distribution company and meter vendors.
The new price regime warrants that customers under the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) will pay between N123,130.53 and N147,812.5 for single-phase meters, and N206,345.65 to N236,500 for three-phase meters.
Ibadan Disco said customers would pay between N130, 998 and N142, 548 for a single-phase meter and N226,556.25 to N232,008 for a three-phase meter.
For Kano Electricity Distribution, its customers will pay between N127,925 and N129,999 for a single-phase meter, and N223,793 to N235,425 for a three-phase meter.
Kaduna Disco said between N131,150 and N142,548.94 would be paid for single-phase meters and N220,375 to N232,008.04 for three-phase meters by its customers.
Some of the consumers described the increase as unfair given the country’s harsh economic situation.
Mrs Alice Ogar, a Lugbe resident, said that when she wanted to buy a single-phase meter, she was told that the price had increased from N117,000 to N148,000.
Ogar said that she was shocked because the last time she inquired about the price, it was N117, 000 and that was the amount she budgeted for the purchase of the meter.
She said her family had been in darkness ever since because she couldn’t get the remaining money for the meter.
Mr Edem Okon said that in October, his neighbour bought a three-phase meter for N206, 345.65 but when he decided to buy, the price had risen to about N236,500.
Okon explained that the price increase at this time was not necessary as a lot of people are going through hardship.
For Mrs Itohan Efosa, who lives in Apo Resettlement, skyrocketing prices of meters during this period was discouraging as it made it more difficult to acquire the product.
She said she planned to buy a meter to stop the estimated billing she was currently incurring, but that the price hike was a setback for him.
Mr Frank Oloton, a resident of Kubwa, said that instead of increasing the prices of meters, the government should look for a way to give out the product free of charge to consumers.
Oloton said that in the past, meters were given free to Nigerians but now, it is being paid for, besides being expensive.
Mr Jude Okolo, who also resides in Kubwa, said that the increase in the prices of meters would encourage DisCos to continue with their estimated billing.
Okolo, who said that many people were finding it difficult to feed, said it was disheartening that the prices of meters kept increasing.
