Deputy Gov Cries Out Over 29m Electricity Bill
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has raised concerns over a massive electricity bill served to his official residence, which surged from N2.7 million in March to a staggering N29 million in April.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion held on Monday in Victoria Island between the Lagos State Government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Hamzat expressed his frustration with the electricity distribution company, Eko DisCo, for issuing what he described as “crazy billing.”
He revealed that despite purchasing a prepaid meter to avoid estimated billing, efforts to have it installed were frustrated by the utility company.
“Last month, the electricity bill for the official residence was N2.7 million. This month, Eko DisCo sent a bill of N29 million. I had to send it to the Commissioner for Energy. It’s crazy,” he said. “I even bought a meter to stop the estimated billing, but getting it installed has been a nightmare.”
Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, also cited other cases of excessive billing. He shared the story of a resident in the Coker Aguda area of Surulere who received an electricity bill of N2.8 million, even though his annual rent was just N2 million.
“How can someone’s electricity bill be more than their rent for a year? These are the challenges we face. Our people are suffering because of estimated billing,” he lamented.
Despite these issues, the Deputy Governor praised the efforts of the Commissioner for Energy, Engr. Biodun Ogunleye, for securing a partnership with the REA aimed at providing stable power to underserved rural communities through solar energy projects.
Speaking at the event, Ogunleye emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership.
“This initiative opens up new opportunities for people who never imagined they’d live in an environment with constant, stable electricity,” he said. “Lagos is ready to lead, and when you’re not in Lagos, you’re not yet there.”
REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, noted that several communities in Lagos have already been identified to benefit from the electrification programme. He also revealed plans to construct an 8-megawatt floating solar plant at the University of Lagos, pending government approval.
