Bittersweet

I distinctly remember the frustrations I felt between 2005 and 2008 every time I went to pay our modest electricity consumption bill and yet was still faced with the threat of very ill-mannered PHCN officials who insisted they would cut our power supply unless we offset the “accumulated bill.” This “accumulated bill” of over N300, 000.00 had been left unpaid by the previous occupant of the house my family had just moved into. On the other hand, we had left a clean bill where we moved out.

As is my custom, I wrote letters to all the necessary “ogas at the top,” detailing the meter reading and attaching relevant documents. I particularly let them know how, before moving, we had ensured that our electricity bills were paid in full, leaving the subsequent occupants with no liability, and hence, it was distinctly unfair that we had to bear the brunt of a previous occupant’s inattention. I personally went to the Head Office to follow up. My friend and schoolmate from UniMaid, Ibrahim Rufai, was on hand to point me in the right direction. Everywhere I went, the response was the same - it was the residence that had been billed, and not the occupant. Therefore, if I intended to seek any form of redress, it was my duty to locate the previous occupant and sort things out with him. This proved impracticable, however, as we had already received the sad news of his passing.

You can, therefore, imagine how bamboozled I felt when, with a thousand and one other pending payments, I grudgingly paid the full amount, for the sake of peace … our peace of mind! Today, when I factor in inflation to that figure (2008), I can’t help but wince.     

Well, that was then. Ever since the prepaid meters were installed, things have been relatively smoother. No need to sucker up to any unscrupulous PHCN technicians who clearly revel in the illegitimate “power” they wield over people whom they actually ought to be looking up to. No fear and trepidation whenever a PHCN truck pulls up at your street. So does this story end “happily ever after?” This is Nigeria and the story is far from over. Read on…

On March 14 there was a power surge so awful that it blew out a fridge and freezer (I had to replace the two compressors). Although I had just paid and installed over N20, 000.00 worth of electricity units two days earlier (being self-employed means I can't rely on a salary and, hence, cannot make monthly payments), the meter unit began to display an error message.

In a flash I was at the nearest AEDC office. A technician followed me home, confirmed that the meter was bad, and advised me to see his oga. I did, and was pleasantly surprised at his general demeanour. The SA Marketing - Apo Business Unit, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company was frank about the fact that I would not receive my new meter immediately. He, however, assured me that I need not worry about power since I would be given a direct connection and billed by estimate, until the new meter is installed. Needless to say, the last bit disturbed me, but I chose to keep faith and give him the benefit of the doubt.  

True to form, I had already written my letter and just needed a specific addressee, which I now had. I was advised to make a payment by bank draft of N49, 311.00 to AEDC and attach same to my letter of complaint. I also attached a copy of the slip indicating my March 12 payment of N20, 000.00.

During the ensuing three months, I waited with baited breath to see if I would be harassed, in any way, concerning electricity payments. I wasn’t. In fact, when I was away in Jos with my wife for my son’s treatment, I sent one of my workers to pay a little amount so that my mother wouldn’t suffer embarrassment of any kind from overzealous inspectors or technicians in my absence. Fellow Nigerians, lo and behold, he was told that the payment was not necessary!!!

On the 25^th of July, 2016 I received a phone call from an AEDC technician, asking me to come to the office and sign for the new meter. I complied, and he followed me home and did the installation. I was overjoyed to see that the casing was made in Nigeria – from Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company in Ogun State.

As is evident in my bittersweet account, a lot is just not right in Naija (as if anyone needed any further proof!). I am not blind to that. For example

1.       Why should I have to pay for a meter that went bad as the direct result of a power surge?

2.       Why shouldn’t I be reimbursed for expenditures as the result of damage caused to my fridge and freezer as the direct result of a power surge? No liability for them, only privilege?

3.       And although the meter came eventually … why did it take four months!?

Although I am vociferous and unrelenting in my criticism, when and where necessary, I am also just as willing to commend positive effort, no matter how minimal, whenever and wherever I see it. I appreciate some of the challenges faced by our utility service providers. Sometimes if you have not worn that shoe, you may not fully understand the pinch.

The positives in my story should actually be more of the rule than the exception. When and how are we going to get there? A step at a time, I guess. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, no matter how tentative. If you can’t relate with Confucius, maybe you should ask “Oga at the Top” Fashola …