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Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed frustration over a sharp increase in electricity bills following the upgrade of several communities to Band A by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), with many considering alternative power sources.
Investigations indicate that the new tariff took effect after AEDC reclassified some areas from lower service bands to Band A, a category under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that is expected to guarantee a minimum of 20 hours of electricity supply daily.
A resident of Garki, Abdul Uman, said the rising cost of electricity had forced him to stop using his air conditioner, noting that ₦5,000 worth of electricity no longer lasts a week. He added that running the appliance regularly could push his monthly electricity expenses above ₦100,000.
In Apo, another resident, John Uba, said he had begun installing a solar power system to reduce dependence on the national grid, describing the increasing electricity tariff as unsustainable.
The tariff adjustment has sparked outrage in newly upgraded communities, particularly in the Nyanya-Karu axis, where residents complained that their electricity supply does not justify the higher charges. Several customers who visited AEDC's Nyanya office were reportedly directed to the Karu office, where they were informed that their areas had been moved to Band A.
Residents claimed that electricity units purchased with the same amount of money had dropped significantly, while supply remained inconsistent. A laundry operator, Aondoakura Mike, said ₦1,000 now purchases only four units of electricity compared to about 14 units previously, despite frequent power outages lasting one to three days.
Findings also showed that many of the affected communities receive between six and nine hours of electricity daily, far below the 20-hour minimum expected for Band A customers. The development has fuelled calls for improved power supply to match the increased tariff.
