Residents across the Federal Capital Territory are feeling the pressure of rising electricity costs after the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company increased tariffs in several areas by upgrading them to Band A. The move has left households and small business owners struggling with higher electricity bills, with some residents now considering alternatives such as solar power to reduce their dependence on the national grid.
For many families, the increase is already changing how they use electricity at home. Abdul Uman, a security personnel in Garki, said he had stopped using his air conditioner because of the rising cost. According to him, N5,000 worth of electricity now lasts less than a week, forcing him to warn his children against using the AC when he is away. He estimated that keeping the appliance running could push his monthly electricity bill above N100,000, a cost he described as unsustainable.
The tariff increase is also affecting residents in areas that were recently moved to Band A, including the Nyanya-Karu axis. Several residents reportedly visited AEDC offices to complain about the sudden change in their electricity costs. One resident, Grace, said she recharged N2,000 but was surprised by how quickly the units appeared to run down. A laundry operator in the area, Aondoakura Mike, said his electricity allocation had dropped from about 14 units for N1,000 to just four units for the same amount, despite what he described as unreliable electricity supply.
The situation has prompted some residents to look for alternatives. John Uba, a resident of Apo, said he had begun installing solar panels gradually because he could no longer cope with the cost of electricity. Other residents argue that the higher Band A tariff should come with a noticeable improvement in supply. Findings in some of the affected areas showed that electricity was available for roughly six to nine hours a day, while residents said they could not recall the last time they enjoyed uninterrupted power for 24 hours.
Under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s Band A classification, customers are expected to receive a minimum of 20 hours of electricity supply daily. The gap between that expected service level and the experience reported by some residents has therefore intensified concerns over the recent upgrades. As electricity costs continue to rise, Abuja households and businesses are increasingly being forced to choose between cutting their power consumption, paying significantly more or investing in alternative energy sources.
source: tribune
