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Tag: electricity bill

  • Amaewhule-led Rivers House passes electricity bill

    Amaewhule-led Rivers House passes electricity bill

    Speaker Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly in Rivers State on Friday passed the Electricity Market Bill, 2024 into law.

    The bill was sponsored to to repeal the Rivers State Electricity and Gas Board Law CAP 50, Laws of Rivers State 1999.

    A statement by Amaewhule’s Special Assistant Media, Martins Wachukwu, said the action of the lawmakers was designed to positively impact on the investment climate in Rivers State for the benefit of the people.

    The statement said the he Rivers State Electricity Market Law would provide for electricity supply, its power generation, transmission and distribution within Rivers State and would establish the Rivers State Electricity Commission for the enforcement of consumers’ right and obligation.

    Debating on the Report presented by  Frankline Nwabochi, Chairman of the House Committee on Power, the lawmakers lauded the committee for a job well done.

    Read Also: Tariff hike: N230m monthly electricity bill not sustainable, says UNILORIN VC

    The legislators stressed that the level of stakeholders’ participation in the Public Hearing spoke volumes on the acceptability of the bill, and urged the House to pass the bill into law.

    Commenting on the Report of the Committee, Speaker Amaewhule, commended the committee and members for their robust debate on the importance of the nill. 

    The Speaker emphasised the benefits of the bill, saying it would allow the electricity market to flourish.

    He added that the bill when passed into law would attract foreign investors and open  windows  of opportunities for Rivers people. 

    Amaewhule expressed the hope that given the progressive import and benefits of the bill, the governor would assent to the bill when passed.

    The Electricity Market Bill was committed to the House Committee on Power on the 8th of May, 2024; and in line with Legislative practice and rules of the House, the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole and gave the bill a through consideration before reverting to plenary to give the bill third reading.

  • ‘Electricity Bill will create opportunities for lawyers’

    ‘Electricity Bill will create opportunities for lawyers’

    Dr Jude Ezegwui is the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) Eastern Zonal Conference committee. In this interview with ADEBISI ONANUGA, he speaks on the opportunities offered lawyers by the electricity bill and the forthcoming NBA-SBL zonal conference billed for March 20 in Enugu State.

    How are preparations for the special NBA conference?

    Preparations are going on well. We are concluding on all areas. It is not easy to organise a conference at this time because of economic challenges, but we are on top. That was one of the reasons we opened up opportunities for sponsorship, to give an avenue for senior lawyers to sponsor young lawyers and help in developing business law practice in the zone, thereby promoting the rule of law. Companies will equally have opportunities to market their products and seek lawyers’ services at the interface.

    What informed the theme of this conference?

    The ‘theme’ was carefully chosen by the planning committee to open up discussions and allow for proper exposition of latent areas of law in the selected topics, which will broaden the scope of knowledge for lawyers and participants. It will guide young lawyers in developing interest in different areas of business law. It will equally guide lawyers in making decisions on where to concentrate in their further research and wet their appetite for business law practice in the Eastern Zone of Nigeria. Enugu City in Enugu State was chosen as one of the cities in the zone where the governor is interested in opening up new business opportunities and is very serious in attracting both local and foreign investors for business. It is clear that where there are new business opportunities there will be legal opportunities. The state governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has signed into law, the Enugu Electricity Bill since last year, which has opened opportunities for business law practitioners in the power sector in the zone. More business investment contracts have been signed and many are on the way in the state, which is a huge market for business law practitioners, as it will involve incorporation, regulatory compliance, taxation, patent rights, legal representations in disputes in all areas of law around the new businesses. It will provide opportunities where the stakeholders and investors can interact physically with participants and exchange ideas, services and utilise the networking opportunities.

    Why is Enugu chosen as venue?

    The state is safe with good road networks for easy access, both in and out. It has international and local flights with many direct routes to various states in Nigeria. It has historic sites/facts, as former capital of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, which many participants would like to visit, see or hear about from the original custodians of the history. The scenery is irresistible with good environment. Shopping malls abound with nice local products at  very good prices. Enugu inhabitants are very hospitable and accommodating. It is a city where you will find almost all tribes in Nigeria living together and socialising with one another. You will get all kinds of traditional foods of many tribes in Nigeria and beyond such as Calabar Kitchen, Akwa Ibom restaurant, Rivers native foods/soups, Ofe Owerri, Ofe Onugbu Anambra, Yoruba, and Hausa foods, among others. All continental foods including Chinese foods, and French fries abound. Night life is safe and enjoyable. When you come to Enugu, you will see more reasons why the city was chosen.

    What should participants expect at the conference?

    Participants should expect a conference that is rich in content with exceptional and brilliant panelists. Participants will have an opportunity to gain insight into new areas of law, network, share good knowledge and ideas. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact socially with other participants, enjoy native foods/traditional dance, and visit historic sites. A pre-conference cocktail and conference dinner have also been packaged for this event, among others.

    What makes the conference special and unique?

    The conference is special and unique because it is coming to Enugu State and the Eastern Zone of NBA-SBL for the first time since the inception of the Nigerian Bar Association. That is a brazing vision of our NBA-SBL, Chairman, Dr. Adeoye Adefulu, to carry all regions along in the development of business law practice in Nigeria.

    What challenges did you experience in planning your activities, and how have you been able to address them?

    We have challenges just like any other conference planning committee. We have overcome most of them. We are still working very hard and are firm that the few remaining challenges, we will overcome.

    In your view, what has been the major contributions of the Bar profession to both zonal, and national development?

    The Bar profession ha been in the front and defender of the rule of law in Nigeria, but the major contributions to my mind is that the Bar has created awareness for the citizens about the rule of law, speaking against injustice and taking on the government of the day to obey court judgments/orders. The Nigerian Bar Association has equally encouraged and supported regional programmes and activities like this conference.

    What happens after the conference in terms of zonal programmes?

    I am sure the Chairman of NBA-SBL, Dr. Adeoye Adefulu’s vision will not die with him. NBA-SBL will continue to maintain and organise zonal conferences with rich programmes to encourage the rule of law and development of business law practice in the various regions.

    Would you like to mention some of the speakers and supporters?

    I will mention very few and encourage all to attend to meet and hear all the speakers. In corporate governance, we have Ikechukwu A. Ogu, Head, Enugu Zonal Office of Investment and Securities Tribunal; and Ini Irene Pepple, Head of Practice, Peacemakers Legal Consultancy. In oil and gas, we have Sonia Ebiki, Head of Legal, MG Vowgas Group; and Olusegun Ilori, Director of its Legal and Corporate Services. In intellectual property, we have Smart Okpara, Associate ALN Nigeria/Aluko & Oyebode; and Rita Anwiri Chindah, Rivers State University. In taxation, we have Dr. Jude Odinkonigbo, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu Campus; and Hon. Chukwuemeka Eze, Chairman, Tax Appeal Tribunal, Enugu Zone. In electricity and power, we have  Desmond Ogba, Partner Templars; Emeka D. A. Ojoko, Founding Partner, Ojoko & Ojoko, Executive Coordinator of NEPA Wahala Ng; and many other brilliant speakers including Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN); Tobenna Erojikwe; Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN); and Joyce Odua.

  • President directs payment of State House electricity bill

    President directs payment of State House electricity bill

    President Bola Tinubu has directed immediate payment of outstanding electricity bill utilised by the State House to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

    A statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President’s directive followed the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.

    In an advertorial on Monday, the AEDC had published in a number of national dailies that the Presidential Villa was among the debtors on its list of 86 defaulters, indebted to the tune of N923,873,000 million.

    But the Presidency faulted AEDC’s near N1 billion claim, saying the Presidential Villa’s outstanding bill stood at N342,352,217.46.

    Read Also: Tinubu directs payment of State House electricity bill

    “Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923 million debt in a paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House’s outstanding bill is N342,352,217.46, according to a letter by the management of AEDC to the State House Permanent Secretary, dated February 14, 2024.

    “Having reconciled the position to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has given assurance that the debt would be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.

    “Following the example of the Presidency, the Chief of Staff also urged other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and pay their electricity bills,” the statement said.

  • Crazy bills, crime against electricity consumers – Lagos Lawyers

    Worried by the monthly influx of inflated electricity tariff, otherwise described as “Crazy Bills”, some Lagos-based lawyers on Friday urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to map out pricing guidelines for the benefit of energy consumers.

    They lawyers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) described as “outrageous” the monthly bills sent by Electricity Distribution Companies, and classified same as a crime against the Nigerian public.

    They called for the adoption of an urgent measure to serve as a control on the pricing system in electricity distribution.

    Mrs. Vivian Ekwegh, from the law firm of Chief Benson Ndakara and Co, said “Crazy Bills” was exploitative and a crime against the Nigerian masses.

    Exemplifying herself as a victim of excessive billing, she said: “Estimated billing is a crime against the Nigerian masses because this is just one out of many ways in which the masses are being exploited.

    “I am a victim of estimated billing, and in spite of erratic power supply, each month I am sent a “crazy bill” to pay up or risk disconnection,” she said

    Ekwegh said that efforts to go through several channels to redress the situation and obtain a prepaid meter had failed severally, as the bills kept coming in monthly.

    “In spite of going through the appropriate channels to get a prepaid meter which, in my opinion, is a proper pricing system to determine how much I really owe; it has proved abortive.

    “This raises my suspicion that indeed, estimated billing may be intentional; it is a racketeering against the Nigerian public,” she said, and called for proactive measures on the way forward.

    “The solution is for the NERC to live up to its responsibility of protecting the Nigerian consumers by ensuring that every household is issued a prepaid meter.

    “If this is done, it will foster a proper pricing system and better estimation of how much electricity consumers utilise,” Ekwegh said.

    A Constitutional lawyer, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, Managing Partner at Spurgeon Ataene and Co, puts his opinion in the following words:

    “Crazy, outrageous, excessive and nonchalant estimated billing has become a menace to the citizens of this country.

    “I live within the Yaba area of Lagos and for the past four years, I receive electricity bills between N15,000 and N25,000 monthly, with insistence that I must pay up before re-connection.

    “I have been paying under duress for some years now, and I have written several petitions, yet nothing has been done.

    “This has further emboldened them to target my apartment for disconnection every month just to humiliate me for daring to petition and demand for prepaid meter.

    “I live in a residential apartment with no industrial equipment like a factory,” Ataene said, calling for urgent redress of the billing system.

    “The truth is that urgent intervention is needed to curtail these excesses; imagine how they sometimes disconnect the light, leaving naked wires on the ground and endangering the lives of citizens in some instances.

    “The NERC must now embark on aggressive enlightenment exercises aimed at correcting the flaws, delete illegal accumulation of bills and ensure that every house without a prepaid meter gets checked to know their actual power consumption,” he said.

    He said that the billing system should be made dependent on the availability of power for the period under review.

    He noted that another panacea to curbing massive estimated billings is to commission a compulsory provision of prepaid meters nationwide, and which will be at no cost to consumers.

    “Revenue through this means will be directly sent to government instead of allowing some few people to sabotage the economy.

    “Those employed into sensitive places like Electricity Companies should be made to realise the enormity of their tasks, and sign undertakings that where they oppress citizens or sabotage the economy, they will be investigated and prosecuted with a consequent sack if found guilty.

    “Finally, the electricity authorities can publish phone numbers of officials to reach for complaints, so that illegal bills received, can be sent to their WhatsApp and specifying the nature of apartment, household equipment and location.

    “If these steps are taken, I am confident there will be an instant check; no one should be allowed to toy with the live wire of the economy,” he said

    In the same vein, another Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Emenike Nnoromlele of Divine Solicitors, urged regulatory authorities to come out with a billing system which will itemise how much each point will consume in a specified duration.

    He said that this was to void the orchestration of mischief, adding that the same will also prevent an abuse of the exercise.

  • Residents protest 300 per cent electricity bill increase

    Scores of residents of Alimosho, a Lagos suburb, yesterday stormed the Egbeda Undertaking Office of the Ikeja Electric to condemn about 300 per cent increase in their March electric bills.

    They frowned at the ‘crazy’ bills.

    Their spokesman, Mr Dayo Ali, said there was no justification for the ‘crazy bill’ given to the residents.

    He said: “The billings have been increased beyond imagination. We don’t expect what Ikeja Electric is giving to us. It is so high that a single shop was given N18,000. Some houses got up to N30,000 and above. This is too much. We want reduction or else we will march to the headquarters in Alausa to protest this.”

    Ifeanyi Ugor, who lives on Bada Street in Akowonjo, said: “This is unacceptable; it should be taken back to what it was before. We are even complaining that what they give us monthly is out of the reality of our consumption. The power supply is terribly bad and now they are increasing our bill, we won’t take it from the IE.

    The Marketing Manager of the Akowonjo office, simply identified as Akinwale, told the aggrieved residents that the company billed them based on their power consumptions.

    He complained that they could not meter every customer because they did not have the funds.

    Each transformer, he said, has metre from which the company reads the power consumption in each area.

  • Non-payment of electricity bills will worsen power supply – ANED

    Non-payment of electricity bills will worsen power supply – ANED

    The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors ( ANED ) has called on Nigerians to pay their electricity bills promptly.

    It said that non-payment of electricity bills would worsen the irregular power supply in Nigeria.

    Mr Sunday Oduntan, its Executive Director (Research and Advocacy), said in a statement in Lagos that lack of steady power supply had hindered the development of the country.

    ANED is an umbrella body of the 11 power distribution companies in Nigeria.

    “If the DISCOs are not paid, their businesses will suffer and if their businesses suffer, our hope for constant electricity will be a pipe dream,” he said.

    The association said it was from the monthly electricity bills paid by Nigerians that DISCOs have to pay the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) for electricity supplies that they received.

    “NBET also pays the Generating Companies ( GENCO ) who have to pay their gas suppliers (Thermal).

    “DISCOs will pay the market operator which is Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN ) and other stakeholders for the various services that they provide.

    “Consequently, if Nigerians don’t pay their bills, it starves the entire electricity value chain of the funds needed in power.

    “Lack of funds leads to poor or no electricity supply, potential failure of the power sector and related mass unemployment and diminished prospects for national economic growth,” he said.

    Oduntan said that non-payment means that our aspiration for 24-7 power supply would continue to be just an aspiration.

    “Not paying bills by bypassing or stealing electricity means that it costs legitimate customers more to receive electricity supply.” he said.

    NAN

  • Man charged with ‘beating up landlady over electricity bill’

    A 30-year-old unemployed man, Isaac Elegbede, who allegedly beat up his 60-year-old landlady, has been arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The accused, who lives at 45, Orile Agege Road, Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of causing breach of peace and assault.

    Police prosecutor Rachael Williams said the accused committed the offences on July 17 at his apartment.

    She alleged that the accused assaulted his landlady, Mrs. Jumoke Durashola, during an argument over electricity bills.

    “The accused beat up the 60-year-old woman and she became unconscious.

    “But for the intervention of other tenants, it would have been another story,’’ she said.

    The offences contravened sections 168 and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. L. Y. Balogun, granted the accused a bail of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till August 14 for mention.

  • Tenant ‘kills’ landlord over electricity bill

    A 75-year-old landlord has been reportedly killed by his tenant over electricity bill in Ondo State.

    Kayode Osunkalu retired from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and owned a two-storey building at 17, Ayeferere Street, Ondo.

    Sources said the late septuagenarian had an argument with his tenant, Tope Akideji, over the payment of an electricity bill brought to the house by officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    Osunkalu was said to have ordered his tenants to pay the bill within 24 hours. This resulted in an argument between the victim and the suspect.

    The sources said: “Akideji held his landlord’s shirt for several minutes and allegedly beat him up.

    “Pa Osunkalu slumped and was rushed to the State Specialist Hospital where he was later confirmed dead by the doctors.”

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Enuowa, Kunle Omisakin, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect has been transferred to the homicide section in Akure.

    He said Osunkalu’s remains have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital mortuary.

  • Tenant kills Landlord over electricity bill

    Tenant kills Landlord over electricity bill

    A 75-year old landlord in Ondo town was last weekend reportedly killed by his tenant over electricity bill.

    The Septugenarian named Kayode Osunkalu, was a retired civil servant at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and owner of a two-storey building located at 17, Ayeferere street, Ondo.

    He was said to be hale and hearty before the unfortunate incident.

    Sources said the late Septuagenarian, had before the incident had an argument with his tenant, Tope Akideji over electricity bill that was brought to the house by the officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    Osunkalu was said to have ordered all his tenants to pay up within 24-hour the bill brought to the house by the BEDC.

    The move was said to have infuriated the suspect which resulted into argument between them.

    The suspect was said to have held the late landlord for several minutes and allegedly beat him.

    The late landlord was said to have slumped in the process and was rushed to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital where he was later confirmed dead by the Doctors.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DP0)  in charge of Enuowa Division, Kunle Omisakin, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect has been transferred to the homicide section in Akure for further investigation.

    He said the remains of the late landlord had been deposited at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital mortuary, Ondo, while investigation has continued on the matter.

  • Man ‘kills’ co-tenant over N5,000 electricity bill

    Man ‘kills’ co-tenant over N5,000 electricity bill

    A man, Chukwuebuka Okeke, who allegedly beat Nwabunike Ezeike, a co-tenant to death over N5,000 electricity bill, was yesterday remanded in prison.

    An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court which gave the ruling, said the accused should be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    The accused, 28, who lives at Tokosi Street, Orile-Iganmu, is being tried for murder.

    Prosecuting Corporal Iyobosa Onaiwu told the court that the offence was committed on December 1.

    Onaiwu said Ezeike’s death was caused by the blows he received on his head from Okeke following an argument over payment of electricity bills.

    He said the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

    Chief Magistrate B.O. Ope-Agbe adjourned the case to February 1.