The electricity distribution company had disconnected their light sometime last year for owing two months of unpaid bills. While some tenants refused to pay their light bill to settle the debt of two months, some had solar and never bothered. The debt kept accumulating even when they had been disconnected.
In six months, they were owing almost half a million.
Now this is where it got so messy.
Now this is where it got so messy.
You disconnected a building over two months of unpaid bills and were still billing them for up to six months even while they had no power in the building. Does that even make sense? It goes to show that aside from those on the prepaid meter system that purchase power by units, what normal meter residences receive as bills are actually estimated and often inflated figures. How do you explain billing a residence for four months without light? It shows how bad the system in Nigeria is.
The landlord got to know about the unpaid debt and convened a meeting with his tenants. He assured them that every single kobo they are owing, they will pay for it. They thought he was bluffing. He settled the debt and the light was reconnected.
The landlord got to know about the unpaid debt and convened a meeting with his tenants. He assured them that every single kobo they are owing, they will pay for it. They thought he was bluffing. He settled the debt and the light was reconnected.
He has now pushed for a prepaid meter. As they were renewing their rent this year, the landlord has been deducting the money he spent on the light from each of them in their rent. When he deducts, his lawyer issues a receipt showing the number of months the remaining balance covers.
The ones who are yet to pay, upon hearing about the deduction, threatened to pack out rather than pay for what they didn't use.
The ones who are yet to pay, upon hearing about the deduction, threatened to pack out rather than pay for what they didn't use.
On hearing that, the landlord sent a message across that he has no problem with anyone who chooses to pack out, but they will pay to the last kobo before moving their properties out of the building. That was how he defeated them all.
When I heard all of this, I was so pissed that I began to wonder what kind of country we are in. From the citizens to the leaders.
In developed countries, people are billed for what they use. If Nigeria must get better, every institution, sector, and agency must work effectively.
In modern times like this, we should be talking about every Nigerian using a prepaid meter. It would save the power companies so much stress from the fuel and energy they expend going around streets to disconnect power monthly, but then, because of the corruption and the profit they make from exploiting with the use of the old meter system, they wouldn't want it to be phased out completely.
In modern times like this, we should be talking about every Nigerian using a prepaid meter. It would save the power companies so much stress from the fuel and energy they expend going around streets to disconnect power monthly, but then, because of the corruption and the profit they make from exploiting with the use of the old meter system, they wouldn't want it to be phased out completely.
It is more complicated than this Teejay. There are people who bypass their meters and still have light even when they are cut off.
ReplyDeleteNigeria is a complex country and most things that people suggest online are too simplistic for solving its problems.
I live in Ghana and I use prepaid a meter. While I was away for 3months, I kept reloading my meter via the power companies mobile app with my balance in view. Nigeria can do better o. I visited lagos last Xmas and my folks kept complaining about some band A abi na band B ....why??
ReplyDelete@In developed countries, people are billed for what they use - you hear am or you don live for any developed country before? Oshi - it is people like you that live in face-me I-slap you houses in those remote parts of PH who bypass metres and dont pay for electricity consumed. Most Nigerian cities condemn govt and its officials but they are no better. Who are the people doing the fake medications, fake drinks, adulterated food and fruits, bypassing metres etc?
ReplyDelete