‘We don’t want Band A’ — Lagos communities protest ‘unbearable’ electricity tariff hike

Residents of Akinola and Aboru communities in Alimosho LGA of Lagos state have protested their “forceful migration” to the Band A category by Ikeja Electric Distribution Company.

The residents took to the streets on Monday carrying placards with inscriptions like ‘re-migrate our communities away from Band A’, ‘scrap all bands’, ‘affordable tariff reduces cost of living’, among others.

During the protest, some residents said they can no longer afford to pay N227 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) for electricity.

VIDEO: ‘We don’t want Band A’ — Lagos communities protest electricity tariff hike pic.twitter.com/avf07WGnNn

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In April 2024, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved an increase in the electricity tariff for customers in the Band A classification — from N66 to N225 per kwh.

The tariff hike attracted public outcry and calls for its reversal.

Customers under the Band A category are expected to have a minimum of 20 hours of electricity in a day, Band B category is 16 hours, Band C is 12 hours, Band D is 8 hours, and Band E is 4 hours.

Speaking with journalists during the protest, Wale Famutimi, a community leader, said Ikeja DisCo migrated the communities to the premium category last year without their notice.

Famutimi said some residents can no longer afford electricity units due to the abrupt hike in electricity costs.

The community leader said those who do not have pre-paid metres are being asked to pay “unreasonably” high estimated electricity bills.

He added that residents are demanding a reversal to the Band B classification.

“Many people in our communities cannot afford electricity tariff of Band A. When you buy N1,000 worth of electricity, you will receive four units, which cannot even last for 24 hours,” Famutimi said.

“We want Ikeja DisCos to take us back to Band B classification. We did not ask them for Band A.

“Because of Band A, a lot of residents have stopped using electricity since they cannot afford it. We are begging Ikeja DisCo to come and return us to Band B.”

Similarly, Abiola Ogunnaike, chairperson of Mercury Estate in Aboru, said the communities had written to Ikeja DisCo on numerous occasions over the issue.

“This Band A and B categories are just scam. We don’t want Band A. The tariff is too much for us here,” she said.

“Many people cannot afford the tariff because of the situation of the country like unemployment, high cost of foodstuff, and other things.”