National Assembly urged to tackle Discos’ irregular billings
Electricity consumers in Kano state have expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as irregular as well as over billing by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
The disgruntled Customers vehemently kicked against the outrageous billing system introduced by the discos in the Northern part of the country during an interactive session with the house of representatives Ad-hoc committee on power to curb excessive electricity charges being levied on consumers in Kano, demanding the immediate revocation of the distribution companies in the country.
A consumer, who spoke at the session, Yunusa Murtala regretted the replacement of PHCN with DISCO’s also accused KEDCO of supplying faulty meters to electricity consumers which brought about unnecessarily accumulated billings. He said the illegal act made it extremely difficult for consumers to comprehend the authentic billing system.
Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Israel Ajibola said the house decided to embark on the interactive session across the six geopolitical zones to ascertain allegations against DISCO’s.
According to him, those allegations includes excessive billing, Disco’s refusal to meter them/preference for crazy estimated billing, non-compliance with the connection/ reconnection regulations, installation of manipulated pre-paid meters among others.
Israel who frowned at poor representation of Kaduna Electricity Company at the interactive session insisted that Kaduna will be considered as not represented at the forum.
Israel said “the choice of Kano for the North West interactive session was based on its flourishing commercial enterprising nature.
“As we all know that steady power supply is a prerequisite to overcoming poverty, economic growth, development and attaining reasonable standard of living.
“One of the major achievements of these interactive sessions across the nation, is forestalling the looming break down of law and order in the country.
According to him, the committee’s recommendation will determine the House’ position on the bill sponsored by the House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, to criminalise estimated billing.
