● Ishola Badmus
Residents of Akinola/Aboru Estate in Lagos took to the streets on Thursday to protest against Ikeja Electric’s high electricity tariffs and the company’s failure to provide adequate infrastructure and prepaid meters. The aggrieved residents, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We reject Band A Outrageous Tariff (N227/Kwh)” and “Ikeja Electric must issue Prepaid Meters to all apartments free of charge,” expressed their frustration over what they described as exploitative practices.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Femi Ajibola, a community leader, decried the rising cost of electricity, noting that the current tariff under Band A, which stands at N227 per kilowatt-hour, was not only outrageous but unsustainable for most residents. “We are being charged for power we don’t even consume. This tariff is killing our businesses and making life unbearable for many families. It is unacceptable,” Ajibola said.
The residents also highlighted the lack of prepaid meters in their estate, a situation they argue has led to indiscriminate billing and inflated electricity charges. Mrs. Patricia Ogunyemi, a resident, lamented that many households have been subjected to estimated billing, which she described as a means of extorting money from consumers. “Ikeja Electric must issue prepaid meters to all apartments free of charge. This is the only way we can ensure transparency and fairness in billing,” she emphasized.
Beyond the issue of high tariffs and lack of meters, the protesters demanded an upgrade to Ikeja Electric’s infrastructure, citing poor service delivery and frequent power outages as major challenges facing the estate. According to Mr. Tunde Adeniji, another resident, the power supply to the area has been highly unstable, with frequent blackouts disrupting daily life. “We are tired of the poor electricity supply. Ikeja Electric must upgrade its infrastructure to provide better service,” Adeniji stressed.
In addition to infrastructure concerns, the residents called for a stable and affordable electricity supply for all. Mrs. Ngozi Anozie, a trader in the estate, pointed out that the erratic power supply has negatively affected small businesses in the area. “We cannot continue like this. Our businesses are suffering, and we need affordable and consistent electricity to thrive,” she remarked.
As the protest gained momentum, the residents called on regulatory authorities, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to intervene and address their grievances. They argued that Ikeja Electric has failed in its duty to provide quality service and ensure customer satisfaction, urging the government to hold the company accountable for its actions.
In response to the protests, a spokesperson for Ikeja Electric, who requested anonymity, stated that the company is working to address the concerns raised by the residents. The spokesperson acknowledged the challenges with metering and infrastructure but assured that plans are underway to improve service delivery in the estate. “We are aware of the concerns and are committed to resolving them. We urge residents to remain patient as we continue to roll out prepaid meters and upgrade our infrastructure,” the spokesperson said.
The protest concluded with a firm resolution from the residents that they would not back down until their demands are met. They vowed to continue engaging with Ikeja Electric and relevant authorities to ensure that their estate receives the necessary improvements in electricity service. GMTNewsng
