Communities of Oke-ira, Aguda and Ogba residents took to a peaceful protest yesterday to show their displeased against Ikeja Electric due to the outrageous estimated billing system given to them regularly.
Some of their grievances was shown on different placards each residents were carry with inscriptions like: ‘Crazy bill is killing give us Prepaid Meter’, ‘We demand for Prepaid Meter’ ‘We say no to crazy bills’ ‘NERC and Authorities come to our rescue’, ‘NEPA bill is more than house rent’.
The residents explained that if nothing is done to their case they will be left with no option than to charge the company to court.
Speaking at the protest, the Leader of residents, Mr. Osilaja Olaere is of the opinion that the electric company has intentionally refused to give the community prepaid metres.
“We are tired of being deceived by the Ikeja Electric. We are not going to accept estimated bills anymore. House rent is now cheaper than electricity.
We are not going to tolerate this anymore. We would continue to carry out peaceful protests until they hearken to our cry.” Osilaja said.
One of the leaders in the community, Mr. Lanre Fatuyi, while speaking explained that he has been following up on the Ikeja Electric for more six months without any signal to show that the issue will be addressed.
Mr Lanre continued in his words saying the community is tired of this and has had enough of it, urging Ikeja Electric to either give them Prepaid meter or come and disconnect their wires. Adding that other communities within the state are already enjoying the benefit of this meter paying less bills.
However, in their words the residents explained that Ikeja Electric has exceeded the time Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, gave to them to distribute over 3,000 customers’ prepaid meters without yielding to their request.
On the other hand, Spokesman of the Ikeja Electric, Mr. Ayeni in his response, said the bad wiring and connections in some houses are reasons why they have limitations in giving meters to some community.
“We are not charging a dime for meter, we only urge them to clear their bills before we give them their prepaid meter. I have pleaded with them and we have assured them that we would attend to all their requests. They should be patient.” He explained.