The Executive Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area in Niger State, Hon. Aminu Yakubu Ladan, has voiced his concerns over the increasing cases of estimated billing by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), describing it as a significant financial strain on households.
Estimated billing is a practice used by Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to charge consumers based on projected usage rather than actual consumption. This method has faced widespread criticism from residents of Minna and surrounding areas, including the Council Chairman, who argues that it often results in inflated bills that do not accurately reflect actual electricity usage.
In an interview, Hon. Ladan revealed that his household’s monthly bill has surged to over N100,000. He described this increase as outrageous and exploitative, calling on AEDC management to review or regulate the practice to eliminate estimated billing.
He questioned how other residents could cope with such inflated bills if his household, as the Chief Security Officer of the local government, is subjected to such charges. Hon. Ladan emphasized that this unrealistic billing is adversely affecting businesses and households, especially given the current economic situation.
Furthermore, he disclosed that AEDC owes the local government a significant amount of money and has failed to make payments. He warned that this ongoing issue could further strain the already frosty relationship between the company and the local government council.
“If the estimated billing continues, the council will have no option but to resort to legal action to seek justice and revert to the old tariff,” he stated.