Many electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), say it is fraudulent to transfer their tariff to Band A without the commensurate hours of power supply.
According to them, the situation is biting hard amidst the harsh economic hardship.
BRANDPOWER reports that Band A customers are those who enjoy at least 20 hours of electricity daily and are expected to pay N209.5/KiloWatts per hour (KWh).
The consumers who reside in Kubwa, Kuje, Gwagwalada and environs spoke with NAN in Abuja on Sunday.
They said that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) transfered them to Band A when they hardly had 10 hours of electricity, describing the situation as unfair.
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Mrs Amen Odigie, a civil servant residing in Kubwa said that she found herself paying so much for electricity when she hardly had power supply for 10 hours a day.
Odigie said that what she pays for electricity in the two bedroom flat she occupied was more than N30,000 in a month.
”I want to appeal to the AEDC to reverse my tariff to the Band where I am suppose to be and also refund what they have collected from me on Band A, ” she said.
On his part, Mr Ugochukwu Okafor also residing in Kubwa said that he found himself paying for Band A tariff in spite that he doesn’t have power supply for eight to 10 hours a day.
Okafor, who is a vulcaniser said that his income in a month could not pay for the Band A tariff which he found himself.
According to him, he wants AEDC to do something about the issue and compensate him for what he has paid for Band A.
Mrs Anita Adaje, a fashion designer residing in Kuje said that in her compound, she discovered that she was the only one on Band A.
Adaje said she had lodged complain with AEDC and they promised to do something, but till now, nothing had been done.
”When you bill customers so high, they will refuse to pay and this is really affecting my business.
”My appeal is that AEDC should look into this high tariff and do something about it, as it is not the best to collect money without rendering the service.
Mr Festus Ogunbor, a welder residing in Gwagwalada said that he recharged more than N15,000 to run his welding machine.
Ogunbor said that AEDC put him on Band A in spite that he got power supply for just about six to seven hours a day, adding that the high cost of electricity was affecting his business as he could no longer do much job.
”How much do I make that I have to be paying so much for electricity, please l want AEDC to reverse my electricity tariff to the Band where I am suppose to be, ”he said.
Mr Chidi Okeke, also in Gwagwalada said that forcing people to pay for services not rendered was unfair and fraudulent.
Okeke said that government should look for a way of cautioning those in charge of power supply to do the right thing.
