The longstanding friction between the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) and its consumer base has escalated into a formal dispute over allegations of “illegal” estimated billing and persistent technical glitches in the metering system. Residential and commercial consumers across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States regions served by the franchise have voiced significant frustration, claiming that the distribution company is intentionally bypassing post-paid meters to issue inflated bills. The controversy centers on the Capping of Estimated Billing regulation, which consumers argue is being violated by the utility firm through arbitrary charges that do not reflect actual energy consumption.
The Network of Electricity Consumers Advocacy of Nigeria (NECAN) has spearheaded the protest, documenting numerous instances where households were served bills exceeding 100% of their typical monthly average despite regular power outages. According to the Secretary of the advocacy group, Samuel Ayuba, the “glitches” reported by the company in its vending platforms are viewed by the public as a tactical maneuver to force consumers onto estimated billing regimes. He noted that many customers who have paid for the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme have remained unmetered for months, while those with functional meters report frequent errors in credit loading, leading to prolonged periods of darkness.
In a swift rebuttal, the management of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), led by the Managing Director, Abdu Bello Mohammed, clarified that the company is operating within the guidelines set by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The distribution company attributed the billing discrepancies to “energy theft” and the bypassing of meters by unscrupulous consumers, which creates a shortfall in the revenue cycle. The firm also maintained that the technical glitches on its digital platforms are part of a broader infrastructure upgrade aimed at integrating a more robust cloud-based vending system. They argued that these temporary interruptions are necessary for long-term service efficiency.
Aviation and power sector analysts suggest that the trust deficit between Distribution Companies (DisCos) and consumers is a systemic issue fueled by a lack of transparency in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Service-Based Tariff (SBT) applications. Experts argue that until JEDC achieves 100% metering saturation, the friction over “illegal” billing will persist. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has been urged to step up its oversight functions in the Jos franchise area to ensure that consumers are not penalized for the technical inefficiencies of the provider. The broader implications of this standoff point to a potential decline in revenue collection if consumers resort to mass boycotts of bill payments.
