By CONSTANCE ATHEKAME

Many electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have faulted the migration of customers from Band B to A without commensurate hours of power supply.

According to them, the situation has led to higher tariffs without much justification.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 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) transferred them to Band A when they hardly had 10 hours of electricity, describing the situation as unfair.

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 revise my tariff to the Band where I am supposed to be and also refund what they have collected from me on Band A,? she said.

On his part, Mr Ugochukwu Okafor, a resident of Kubwa, said that he found himself paying for Band A tariff in spite of the fact that he doesn?t have power supply for eight to 10 hours a day.

Okafor, a vulcaniser, said that his income in a month could not pay for the Band A tariff to which he had been taken.

?I want AEDC to do something about the issue and compensate me for what I have paid for Band A,? he said.

Mrs Anita Adaje, a fashion designer residing in Kuje, said that in her compound, she was the only one on Band A.

Adaje said she had lodged a complaint with AEDC and they promised to do something.

?That was long ago, but till now, nothing has 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 right 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 of the fact that he gets power supply for just about six to seven hours a day.

?The high cost of electricity is affecting my business.

?How much do I make to pay so much for electricity? Please l want AEDC to reverse my electricity tariff to the Band where I am supposed to be,? he said.

Mr Chidi Okeke, also in Gwagwalada, said that forcing people to pay for services not rendered was unfair.

Efforts to speak with the AEDC Corporate Affairs Manager proved abortive, but a source which spoke from his office confirmed that some complaints had been received on the migration of customers across Bands. (NAN)

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