Okirigwhere, Amukpe Women Protest High Electricity Tariffs at BEDC Office in Sapele

By Endurance Ikanone

Women from Okirigwhere and Amukpe communities in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State have protested against high electricity tariffs at the office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) at AT&P, Sapele, demanding urgent relief from the rising cost of electricity.

The protesters, who expressed dissatisfaction with the electricity bills imposed on consumers, took their grievances to the distribution company’s office to draw attention to the financial burden the prevailing tariffs have placed on households.

Speaking during the protest, Mrs Janet Osoro said the rising cost of electricity had become a serious concern for households, calling on the distribution company and relevant authorities to consider the difficulties residents face in paying their bills.

She appealed for urgent measures to address consumers’ complaints, noting that electricity expenses had become an additional burden for families already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Another protester, Madam Evenly Okafor , called for greater consideration for electricity consumers in Sapele, insisting that residents needed relief from what they considered excessive electricity charges.

She urged the relevant authorities to listen to the concerns of ordinary consumers and work towards a solution that would make electricity more affordable for households.

The demonstration highlights growing concerns among electricity consumers in Sapele over the affordability of power supply, particularly at a time when households are contending with rising costs of food, transportation and other essential goods and services.

The women reportedly engaged BEDC officials during the protest, urging the company to address their complaints over electricity charges and consider the difficulties faced by consumers in meeting their bills.

In response, BEDC officials reportedly acknowledged the concerns raised by the protesters but explained that the company could not independently reduce the applicable electricity tariff.

According to information from the engagement, the officials said electricity tariffs, including the rate applicable to Band A customers, were regulated nationally by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The explanation, however, did little to diminish the significance of the women’s protest, which highlighted the frustration of consumers who consider their electricity bills excessive in relation to their household incomes.

Band A customers are generally expected to receive a higher minimum level of electricity supply under the service-based tariff framework. Consequently, the cost of electricity and the quality of supply remain important considerations for consumers assessing whether the applicable charges are justified.

For many households, electricity expenses compete with other essential needs, making high tariffs a source of considerable financial pressure. The situation is particularly challenging for families whose incomes have not increased at the same pace as the cost of living.

The protest also highlights the need for electricity distribution companies to maintain effective communication with consumers and ensure that complaints about billing and service delivery receive timely attention.

Although electricity tariff regulation falls within the national regulatory framework, consumers expect distribution companies to explain applicable charges clearly, provide accurate billing information and help them understand the options available when they dispute their bills.

The demonstration has renewed attention to electricity-related grievances in Sapele, where residents have previously protested over poor power supply and alleged excessive billing.

In February 2017, residents staged a protest over electricity supply and billing concerns involving BEDC, reflecting longstanding dissatisfaction with aspects of electricity service delivery in the area.

The protest by women from Okirigwhere and Amukpe has once again placed the cost of electricity at the centre of public discussion, with residents seeking a response that addresses their concerns.

The demonstration also illustrates the role of community action in bringing issues affecting household welfare to the attention of service providers.

For the protesters, the central issue remains the high rate of electricity tariffs and the need for meaningful intervention to ease the pressure on consumers.

BEDC reportedly assured the women that their complaints had been heard and would be considered. However, the specific measures the company intends to take in response to the concerns raised were not established at the time of filing this report.

The women will now be looking for concrete action to address their grievances as the debate over electricity affordability continues in Sapele and other parts of the country.