BEDC Customers Frustrated by High Rates and Poor Supply

Electricity consumers in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) area are voicing their frustrations regarding high electricity rates, unreliable supply, unexpected deductions, and discrepancies in prepaid-meter usage. Residents in Delta and Edo States have raised these concerns for years, citing erratic power supply, estimated billing, and malfunctioning meters.

The rollout of prepaid meters was intended to enhance transparency, but many customers question its effectiveness. A significant concern is the clarity of the actual cost per unit of electricity under BEDC’s tariff system.

Accurate classification into service bands is crucial, as consumers expect a corresponding level of electricity supply. For instance, a resident from Old Otoro Road in Abraka reported that a ₦30,000 credit on their prepaid meter was exhausted in less than a month, raising questions about the actual consumption and tariff applied.

The situation reflects a broader issue of consumer protection and regulatory oversight in Nigeria's electricity sector.