The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has decried the high estimated electricity bills issued by electricity distribution companies at a recent roundtable with the Rural Electrification Agency.
Speaking at the roundtable between the state government and the Rural Electrification Agency held in Victoria Island on Monday, April 14, Mr. Hamzat said the electricity provider, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) had also frustrated his efforts to install a prepaid meter despite payment.
He highlighted a shocking increase in his official residence’s bill, which soared from N2.7 million in March to N29 million in April.
Hamzat recounted his efforts to install a prepaid meter to avoid such inflated charges, but encountered obstacles with the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, which he described as frustrating.
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“I am a very good example,” he said. “Last month, the bill for the official residence was N2.7 million. This month, Eko DisCo sent a bill of N29 million. I sent it to the commissioner for energy.
“It’s crazy. I actually procured a meter to avoid estimated billing, but converting it has been an ordeal.”
During the discussion, he emphasised that the problem of arbitrary billing impacts not only high-ranking officials but also ordinary citizens.
He shared the example of a resident in Coker Aguda, Surulere, who received a bill of N2.8 million, significantly more than his annual rent of N2 million.
Mr. Hamzat pointed out that this issue of estimated billing is causing considerable suffering among Lagosians.
The event also marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Lagos State and the REA aimed at “solarising” rural communities, a partnership lauded by Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, as a significant step towards providing stable electricity to underserved areas.
