Residents of Port Harcourt have lamented what they describe as an extortion by PHCN, the Port Harcourt Electricity Company of Nigeria, over a kick of Electricity while the company engages in massive fund drive from consumers whose monthly bills are estimated.
Ogoninews.com investigations reveal that consumers on the estimated billing plan are forced to pay monthly for electricity whether they are supplied or nor. We also found that when electricity is supplied to estimated billing customers, they are extremely poor and customers are forced to pay a fixed and incremental bill.
The view of PHCN could not be sought on the issue, however, we got in touch with the residents of Port Harcourt who complained about the extortion.
Our investigation further reveal the worst hit regions to include Rumukrushe, Aluu, Nyesom Wike Road linking SARS Road, Ignatius Ajuru University Road, Rukpokwu, D Line, Diobu, Rumuigbo amongst others.
Here are some of the reaction of electricity consumers in Port Harcourt. Their names have been shortened to protect their identity.
“PHCN only give us electricity on the 15th and 16th of every month when they come to collect their monthly bills” Emediong, a resident of Nyesom Wike Road.
“We barely get electricity for 2 hours daily but PHCN will never fail to come for their monthly bill which sometimes can be as much as N30,000 for my small one bed room” Chinedu, Ignatius Ajuru University Road.
“PHCN is failing to supply our metres because the estimated billing allows them to extort us with provisioning the electricity ” Amaka, Rumuigbo.
“PHCN is very corrupt and they know what they are doing is veryunfair. How do you charge people for electricity whether they get electricity or not and when they apply for metres you don’t provide them because it suits you to estimate bills”
PHCN could not respond to the complaints as this was based on real interview with consumers.
