Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has decried the rising cost and inefficiencies in electricity billing, revealing that his official residence received a shocking electricity bill of N29 million in April — a steep jump from the N2.7million billed in March.
Speaking on Monday during a roundtable discussion between the Lagos State Government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) held in Victoria Island, Hamzat expressed frustration over the estimated billing system and the bureaucratic hurdles involved in activating prepaid meters.
The event, which also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the electrification of rural communities in Lagos, provided a platform for both parties to address the challenges of electricity access and explore alternative solutions such as solar power.
“People that are trying to survive, and the common denominator for them is power. They don’t have power. There are billing challenges. In fact, I’m a very good example,” Hamzat said.
“Last month, in my house, or the state house that I live in, the bill was N2.7 million. This month, Eko DisCo sent us a bill of N29 million. I sent it to the commissioner for energy. It’s crazy. I actually procured a meter… but to convert it is wahala.”
The Deputy Governor also cited another case in the Coker Aguda area of Surulere, where a resident was issued a N2.8 million electricity bill—surpassing his annual rent of N2 million.
“How can the bill be more than the man’s rent for a year? Those are the challenges that we have. Our people are suffering because of estimated billing,” he added.
Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, commended Lagos Commissioner for Energy, Biodun Ogunleye, for championing the partnership with the REA to provide more stable and affordable electricity through solar energy.
In his remarks, Ogunleye emphasised the significance of the collaboration with REA, saying it promises to transform the electricity landscape in Lagos, particularly for underserved rural communities.
“Opportunities for those who never thought in their lifetime they would experience or live within an environment where there will be constant and stable supply of electricity,” he said.
He added, “REA has been to a number of other states, but when you are not in Lagos, you’re not yet there.”
