Outrage In Sokoto As Residents Reject New Prepaid Meters, Threaten Mass Protest

By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi

Residents of Sokoto State have expressed anger over the compulsory installation of new prepaid electricity meters by Kaduna Electric, accusing the company of imposing questionable debts and excessive electricity charges on consumers.

The development has sparked widespread outrage across the Sokoto metropolis, with many residents threatening to embark on a mass protest unless urgent action is taken to address their complaints.

Residents alleged that the new meters automatically deduct huge sums labelled as outstanding debts whenever electricity units are purchased, despite customers already paying monthly charges under the previous estimated billing system.

Speaking on the issue, a resident of Gwiwa area in Wamakko, Malam Usman Umar Lagaza, claimed more than N700,000 was placed on his account as accumulated debt.”We don’t want the prepaid meters. They should remove them and disconnect us completely because we are already used to darkness” he said.

According to him, many poor families can no longer cope with the increasing electricity costs and deductions imposed through the new system. The tension over the issue led to a stakeholders’ meeting held at Hassan Dan Mu’azu Mosque near Noma Children Hospital in Runjin Sambo.

The gathering drew Islamic scholars, traditional leaders, academics, medical practitioners, lawyers and businessmen from affected communities.

At the meeting,residents resolved to formally petition Kaduna Electric, demanding the cancellation of all disputed debts being deducted from customers’ electricity purchases.

Participants questioned how such huge debts accumulated despite the company’s practice of disconnecting customers who fail to pay their monthly bills.

Residents also complained about what they described as excessive electricity tariffs and unusually fast meter readings.According to them, electricity units currently sell for between N206 and N209, compared to lower rates in some other parts of the country.

Some participants further alleged that households with several refrigerators now spend as much as N10,000 daily on electricity because of the rapid depletion of units by the new meters.

The community also announced plans to establish an independent electricity consumers ‘ association at both the state and national levels to protect residents from future exploitation.

Lawyers at the meeting advised that the proposed association should cover the Runjin Sambo,Gidan Igwai, Gandu and Gidan Dare wards.

Residents warned that continued high electricity costs could worsen insecurity, as many households now switch off outdoor lights to save units, leaving neighbourhoods vulnerable to criminal activities.

They also cautioned that rising electricity tariffs would increase the cost of goods and services since many businesses rely heavily on electricity supply.

The residents called on relevant authorities to urgently intervene and ensure fairness in electricity billing across the state.