The Joint Action Group, JAG, comprises of Aba Landlords, Residents and heads of clusters in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State came together to speak against the exorbitant bill by APL, Aba Power Electricity Company.
APL, the disco distributing electricity to Aba ring fence has been asked to deliver adequate service, reduce their bill, also review their tarrif hike.
In a meeting held yesterday, Sunday, 26th January, 2025, JAG expresses displeasure with APL and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, with the way they are handling the issues of electricity in Aba.
Speaking during the meeting held at Okigwe Road Primary School, Chief Ike Opigwe, the Chief host and a member of JAG, who read out NERC guidelines, urged Aba residents to pursue the matter in a civil manner, he went further to read out a letter addressed to Chairman of NERC written and signed by JAG over APL exorbitant billing in Aba.
Chief Opigwe said several times, JAG has received numerous reports, how APL have been ripping off Aba residents with estimated billing, even when the people barely have electricity.
“Several times, people complain of APL exorbitant bill and even those with prepaid meters were not spared, this is the reason I want to urge you all to pursue this matter via NERC forum and we will win”
“We do not have issues with APL as a disco, rather their mode of operation and the inactiveness of NERC concerning this matter, the tarrif hike, we have written to NERC to review but they are yet to act on it”, Chief Opigwe said.
He went further to advised those at the meeting to always pay their electricity bills and make sure they’re vigilant enough to know when they are being cheated on.
“The message is clear, always pay your bill, as long as you use electricity, because electricity is expensive, however, be on the lookout and know when you’re being cheated on”
“APL claimed they are giving Aba 20 hours of electricity, but people here said there is no such thing, and not even 8 hours of light on a daily basis, so why are they issuing people bills of N30,000 to N45,000 monthly? Chief Opigwe queried.
On the new bill coming out their January which will be issued based on the new tarrif hike approved by NERC, Chief Opigwe urged Aba residents to pay using the last year December bill pending when JAG will resolve the issue with the NERC and APL.
Also, speaking during the meeting, a hotel manager, Uche Brown, said the exorbitant billing is what pushed his hotel to opt for prepaid meter, but right not now, it’s worse.
“Before, we used to recharge N250,000 and it will serve us for some days or weeks, but since APL came in, we now recharge up to N500,000 every day and it expires the next day.”
“How do I pay my staff with the new tarrif hike? If this continues we may be forced to shutdown and people will lose jobs.”
“We thought APL will be better but they’re killing us with exorbitant billing and increased tarrif.”
Recall that Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, was the disco in charge of electricity distribution in Aba, before the matter was settled in court, which led to the takeover of Aba ring fence by the Geometric Power (Aba Power Limited) on February 2022.
Since the takeover, Aba residents has complained bitterly over APL exorbitant bill and their inability to share prepaid meters to customers who demanded for it.
