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AEDC: What it takes to get a meter, By Azu Ishiekwene
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Energy & Infrastructure

AEDC: What it takes to get a meter, By Azu Ishiekwene

From Premium Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Ongoing story
  • The author describes a frustrating seven-month ordeal attempting to obtain a prepaid electricity meter from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in Nigeria.
  • The process involved estimated billing, which the author criticizes as a system that allows companies to charge for nonexistent electricity, often requiring bribes.
  • Despite formal complaints and reaching out to senior management, the author's workplace remains disconnected from the grid, highlighting systemic issues within the AEDC.

Obtaining a prepaid electricity meter in Abuja, Nigeria, has become a seven-month ordeal for the author's workplace, exposing deep-seated issues within the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

In case this doesn’t make sense, estimated billing is an improvised metering system that allows the distribution company to estimate what you should pay for electricity, even if there is no electricity.

— Azu IshiekweneExplaining the problematic estimated billing system used by AEDC.

The company's reliance on "estimated billing" is a major point of contention. This system allows AEDC to estimate electricity charges for customers without meters, even when there is no power supply. The author likens this to a "best-case scenario that consistently delivers the worst possible outcome – darkness," yet customers are expected to accept these bills or negotiate them down with bribes.

It’s a best-case scenario that consistently delivers the worst possible outcome – darkness.

— Azu IshiekweneDescribing the consequence of estimated billing.

When the tariff for "Band A" electricity customers increased, those without prepaid meters, like the author's workplace, became vulnerable. AEDC staff allegedly imposed inflated prices, threatening further increases and disconnection if not paid promptly. The author describes the intimidating tactics of AEDC field staff, who would arrive in branded vans and threaten disconnection unless bills were paid or a bribe was offered.

Pay the punitive bill or “do something” was the only option.

— Azu IshiekweneIllustrating the choice customers faced between inflated bills and bribes.

Frustrated by the situation, the author decided to formally complain and requested disconnection, opting to rely on their own generators and solar power. An internal audit suggested that managing energy costs with their own resources would not be significantly more expensive than AEDC's estimated bills, especially given a 500-600% energy cost increase over three years. However, the journey for a prepaid meter, initiated in February, has dragged on without resolution, even after escalating the complaint to the MD, Mr. Chijoke Okwuokenye, who initially seemed willing to help.

Our journey to a prepaid meter from AEDC, which started in February, is now in its seventh month.

— Azu IshiekweneHighlighting the prolonged delay in obtaining a prepaid meter.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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