Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano
Electricity consumers in the ancient city of Kano on Tuesday bemoaned the inordinate charges by Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) in the state.
The customers, who spoke during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee to curb the excessive electricity charges levied on consumers in Kano, demanded the immediate revocation of the distribution companies in the country.
Besides, the electricity consumers vehemently kicked against the outrageous billing system introduced by the Discos in the northern part of the country.
One of the consumers, Yunusa Murtala, who spoke at the session, regretted the replacement of PHCN with Discos and accused KEDCO of supplying faulty meters to electricity consumers which brought about unnecessarily accumulated billing.
He said the illegal act made it extremely difficult for consumers to comprehend the authentic billing system.
On his part, Mallam Abubakar Lawan Kwanar Dangora complained of excessive tariff imposed by KEDCO on rural communities, especially with those consumers with lower consuming appliances.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee Israel Ajibola said the House decided to embark on the interactive session across the six geopolitical zones to ascertain allegations against the Discos.
According to him, the allegations include excessive billing, Disco’s refusal to meter them/preference for crazy estimated billing, non-compliance with the connection/reconnection regulations, and installation of manipulated pre-paid meters, among others.
Israel, who frowned upon poor representation of KEDCO at the interactive session, insisted that the firm will be considered as not represented at the forum.
Israel said: “The choice of Kano for the North-west interactive session was based on its flourishing commercial enterprising nature.
“As we all know that steady power supply is a prerequisite to overcoming poverty, economic growth, development and attaining reasonable standard of living.
“One of the major achievements of these interactive sessions across the nation, is to forstal the looming breakdown of law and order in the country.”
He said the committee’s recommendation will determine the House’s position on the bill sponsored by the House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila to criminalise estimated billing.
Responding, the Chief Operating Officer of KEDCO, Mr Raul Sing, explained that they have since metered over 65,000 households which translate to covering 50/60 per cent customers.
Raul denied collecting excessive tariff from customers, adding that his company still maintained the 2015 National Electricity Regulatory Commission charges directives.
