MAJORITY OJI raises questions about consumer protection, regulation, and transparency
Electricity consumers in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) area are increasingly frustrated by what they describe as BEDC-induced problems. They are complaining about issues such as high electricity rates, unreliable supply, unexpected deductions, and mismatches in prepaid-meter usage. These complaints are not new; residents in Delta, Edo, and surrounding areas have been raising concerns for years. Common grievances include erratic power supply, estimated billing, customer service shortcomings, malfunctioning meters, transformer breakdowns, rising tariffs, and a noticeable gap between what consumers pay and the electricity they actually receive.
The rollout of prepaid meters was intended to enhance transparency, allowing customers to purchase electricity in advance and better manage their usage. However, many are now questioning whether this system has truly improved transparency or merely altered their experience with electricity costs. A pressing concern for consumers is understanding the actual cost per unit of electricity under BEDC’s current tariff system. They want to know if they are being charged correctly according to their designated tariff and service band.
