Residents of Ebute-Metta (West) in Lagos State, alongside the traditional ruler of the Otumara community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, have protested against what they describe as excessive and arbitrary electricity billing by Excel Distribution Company (formerly EKEDC).
The protesters condemned the alleged reclassification of consumers from Band C to Band A without notice, claiming the move was arbitrary and unfair. Chief Kalejaiye revealed that his monthly electricity bill surged from N300,000 to N1 million, with the distribution company reportedly threatening disconnection over non-payment. He added that his meter was reclassified to Band B under the pretext of being a commercial meter, a decision he called lacking transparency.
Residents raised concerns about double billing, erratic power supply, and the slow rollout of prepaid meters, arguing that arbitrary charges were being levied on unmetered households and businesses. Another resident, Ajadi Yusuf, lamented that repeated applications for prepaid meters had yielded little success and called for accountability in billing practices.
The protesters urged intervention from the Lagos State Government, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tunji Bello, and regulatory bodies such as LASERC, NERC, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. They demanded strict adherence to capping orders, fair billing, transparency, and equitable treatment for all consumers, whether metered or unmetered.
Efforts to obtain a response from Excel Distribution Company were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Residents stressed that arbitrary billing amid irregular electricity supply was oppressive and must be addressed promptly to protect consumers and restore confidence in the electricity distribution system.
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