Abia Residents Lament As Electricity Bills Outstrip House Rent
Residents of Umuahia in Abia State are groaning under electricity bills that now rival or exceed house rents. Despite protests, relief remains elusive. High tariffs, estimated billing and erratic supply are pushing households and small businesses to the brink. Investigations by a national newspaper show monthly bills have jumped from around ₦6,000–₦14,000 last year to ₦50,000–₦70,000 today. Annual rent for a three-bedroom flat in Umuahia averages ₦350,000–₦550,000. Those without prepaid meters face the harshest estimated charges. Low-income workers say they struggle to meet other needs after paying these bills. A civil servant reported paying over ₦65,000 in one month yet still faced disconnection and reconnection fees. Business owners report similar burdens, with some fabricators paying up to ₦90,000 monthly despite frequent outages. The distribution company blames the full subsidy removal under the Band A tariff, which now reflects the true cost of power. State regulators urge wider metering, while residents demand immediate relief and exploration of alternatives such as solar energy.
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