By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Over 1,000 electricity customers in the Oworonshoki community, Lagos State, have filed a petition against Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), demanding the reversal of what they describe as an illegal migration to Band A tariffs.
Mr. Seun Gbogboade, Coordinator of the Oworonshoki Electricity Forum, disclosed that the petition was submitted to the electricity company on Saturday.
“We are protesting against the illegal Band A migration of Oriola feeder in Oworonshoki,” Gbogboade said. He explained that prior to the migration on September 1, rumors of the switch circulated, prompting residents to take preemptive action by submitting a protest letter to IKEDC on August 27.
“The communication manager told us it was just a rumor, with no plans to move us to Band A. Yet, on September 1, IKEDC migrated us from Band C to Band A,” Gbogboade added.
Residents are now facing skyrocketing bills despite receiving significantly fewer hours of electricity. Gbogboade noted that some households on postpaid meters, which were also moved to Tariff C-MD 1, received bills exceeding ₦300,000, compared to the usual ₦30,000. His own residence, which consists of 12 rooms, was billed ₦350,000 for August, leaving each room with a charge of nearly ₦50,000 — far surpassing the average house rent of ₦8,000 per month.