Consumers groan as IBEDC bars recharging less than N5,000 on prepaid

• Recharge Benchmark Policy Illegal, Says Expert

Some low-income earners in the country are currently living in darkness because of the new policy of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) which disallowed prepaid customers from recharging below N5,000.

It was gathered that as a result of IBEDC new policy of N5000 benchmark, some Nigerians within the company’s coverage area compelled to recharge N5000 and above against their natural will while others have resorted to borrowing from families and friends to be able to enjoy electricity through the prepaid metering system.

The Guardian gathered that many others who were unable to meet the recharge benchmark have been left with no choice but to live in darkness.This is even as some of the consumers grapple to pay for high electricity bills under the Band A system imposed on them by the electricity firms.

In a public notice to its customers, the IBEDC stated that: “Please be informed of a recent update regarding IBEDC electricity recharge. Users on Band A are now required to make a minimum recharge purchase of N5,000. Users in other bands must make a minimum purchase of N2,000.

“Kindly note that this new payment structure is effective already and applies exclusively to IBEDC customers,” it stated. It was gathered that this policy was peculiar to IBEDC, as other discos contacted by The Guardian debunked such policy.

However, a lawyer, and an electricity expert, Anthony C. Nwajuigo, said the policy is illegal and a violation of the Electricity Act. He said: “This is illegal and not covered by law. The Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) pegged tariff for Band A at around N209.5 per kWh, hence the directive that flouts such MYTO regulation by National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is not only unconstitutional but illegal and in contravention of the Electricity Act and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA)”.

Nwajuigo continued: “Stating that customers under band A cannot procure less than N5,000 is absurd. Why other customers cannot procure less than N5,000. It is totally illegal. And it is not just a breach of the NERC regulation on MYTO, it is also a breach of the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA).

“They don’t have such rights. Such a promulgation order made by IBEDC is unconstitutional. Not only is it unconstitutional, it’s illegal. It is a contravention of two extant acts that are regulating the electricity industry.

“Even in Lagos here, where I reside and where I practice, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) donot do that. If you want to recharge N1,000, you are permitted to do it. If you want to recharge N500, you are permitted. The only thing is that you are giving the unit that you have recharged,” he stated.

A consumer in Ota area of Ogun State, Bolade Akindele, decried the situation, describing it as unnecessary exploitation of the masses who are still struggling to meet daily needs.

Akindele said: “This policy is inhuman. Even though we are on Band A, consumers should not be subjected to these conditions. Afterall, we are not consuming for commercial purposes. We are still struggling to cope with Band A tariff and now the company is coming with this new recharge policy. It is really not fair.

“We may begin to consider switching to solar energy. With these new developments in the power sector, I am afraid, many people will only be seeing the light but will not be able to afford to use it.”