Gbajabiamila: We won’t allow DisCos to continue estimated billing

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, says the lower legislative chamber will not allow electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to continue fleecing Nigerians with the estimated-billing system.

Speaking on Wednesday when he hosted the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the speaker said the house will revisit the law against the practice.

In January, the house passed a bill sponsored by Gbajabiamila, then majority leader, seeking to criminalise the estimated-billing system in the country.

The bill, which also makes the provision of prepaid meters to consumers compulsory for all service providers in Nigeria, was opposed by the DisCos.

“The issue of estimated billing has been on the front burner. It has been in this House and we will revisit it soon,” Gbajabiamila said.

“We can’t allow Discos to continue to do what they have been doing over the years. You said DisCos need to be recapitalised. I don’t know what you mean by that. These are private companies, do you mean that the government should come in? Maybe you should explain more on that.

“We’re going to be engaging you on the correlation between electricity supply and how to improve poverty. You have done well, I must commend you so far.

“But what we would like to know is for you to give us a breakdown of your real challenges, your real problems.”