Residents in several parts of Calabar, Cross River State, have raised serious allegations of illegal charges and extortion during the ongoing mass electricity metering exercise conducted by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC). The complaints center on demands for payments ranging from N30,000 to N45,000 to obtain prepaid meters, despite a federal program promising free installations.
Residents Decry Unfair Charges and Rapid Consumption
Multiple customers shared their experiences with The Guardian, detailing what they described as coercive financial demands. In densely populated multi-tenant compounds, the standard practice appears to be the installation of only one free meter, with additional units requiring payment. One anonymous resident from such a compound revealed that his household paid a total of N45,000 to secure an extra meter. This sum was broken down into N30,000 for a new account and meter, and an additional N15,000 for installation.
"They gave us only one free meter for the whole compound, even though we are more than 30 people here. If you want another one, you must pay," the resident stated, labeling the arrangement as fundamentally unfair.
Another resident, identified as Victor, faced a similar situation, being told to pay N30,000 for a personal meter after a limited number were installed in his vicinity. Beyond the acquisition costs, Victor and others lamented the rapid consumption of prepaid units. He noted that electricity credit worth N8,000 often lasted less than two days, raising concerns about tariff rates.
Mixed Reactions: Improved Supply vs. High Tariffs
While the metering scheme has brought perceived improvements in power supply, it has also introduced financial strain, particularly for small businesses. Etoski Joseph, a shop owner in the State Housing Estate, called the prepaid system a "welcome idea" for its reliability but decried the high cost of operation.
"Before, we used to pay between N7,000 and N8,000 monthly under postpaid billing. Now, in just two months of prepaid usage, I have spent over N100,000 buying units. It is killing small businesses," Joseph appealed, calling for an urgent review of the electricity tariffs.
Not all experiences were negative regarding payments. One resident confirmed he did not pay for meter installation because his wiring was already compliant. He only offered a voluntary token of appreciation to the installers, highlighting a disparity in how the process is being managed on the ground.
PHEDC's Firm Denial and Explanation
In response to these allegations, PHEDC management has issued a strong denial. Gabriel Modupe, PHEDC's Regional Manager, clarified in an interview that the meters being deployed are advanced smart meters. These devices utilize SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technology for remote monitoring, allowing the company to detect tampering and faults without physical visits.
Modupe emphasized that all meters under the ongoing Distribution Sector Reform Programme (DISREP) and the Meter Asset Fund (MAF) are provided at zero cost to customers. "The meters are 100 per cent free. Customers should not pay a kobo for meters, account opening or installation. We have said this repeatedly on radio, during town hall meetings and community engagements," he stated firmly.
The official addressed the reports of payments by explaining that in multi-tenant buildings, the separation of existing wiring to accommodate individual meters is the responsibility of the landlord or occupants. "If five flats were using one service line before, they must be properly separated before each can have an individual meter. Some customers chose to pay installers to assist with this separation instead of calling their own electricians. That does not mean the meter itself was sold," Modupe clarified.
He issued a stern warning to PHEDC contractors and staff against extorting customers and urged the public to report any solicitation for money directly to PHEDC offices. "If any installer asks you for money for a meter, refuse and report immediately. We have meters available and any staff found guilty will be sanctioned," he assured.
Modupe concluded by reassuring residents in areas like State Housing, MCC, and other designated feeders in Calabar that they would be fully metered, urging customers to avoid panic and unofficial payments.
