CRIMINAL ESTIMATED BILLING IS AN EVIL BUSINESS PRACTICE THAT MUST BE ERADICATED.

....EDOCSO with other stakeholders championing stoppage of estimated billing just like the abolished fixed charge.

The unbundling of the power sector in November, 2013 that heralded the privatisation of same was done with high subterfuge which was also shrouded with criminally intended provisos in the various sales agreements with the mind of shortchanging the people through exploitation and extortion by any available opportunity.

Amongst the many ways the people have been exploited is through the issuance of estimated bills to electricity consumers. The other now defeated avenue was the hitherto criminal monthly Fixed Charge of N750 minimum which was forcefully paid whether electricity was supplied or not. Edo Civil Society Organisations fought against it gallantly and a court case was instituted against the DISCOs and NERC with Toluwani Adebiyi Esq in a Lagos High Court.

Funke Osibudu and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company have become arrogant and inconsiderate due to their access to income not worked for through the issuance of estimated bills to customers amidst total darkness across the state.

The push for a regulation to eradicate the issuance of estimated billing is now urgent than ever if we must get the electricity value chain wake up to their core responsibilities of providing reliable power to the nation for economic and social growth.

The recent meeting with the Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in Abuja by the executive council of Edo Civil Society Organisations with other civil society actors and residents of BEDC franchise states among other things discussed was to seek an end to the criminal estimated billing of customers.

The good news is that, a regulation to eradicate estimated billing of customers will soon be activated as modalities are being developed to bring it to reality. If the almighty monthly fixed charge can be defeated then, the estimated billing is a pinch of salt to be dealt away with. Few weeks from now, we shall be unveiling it to the people.

NO ELECTRICITY, NO PAYMENT.

Leftist Osazee Edigin
Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations