By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Taraba State residents on Tuesday protested over the alleged hike in electricity bills from the Yola Electricity Distribution Company.
Residents said such exorbitant billings, if not urgently addressed, would continue to affect the prices of goods in the market.
They also decried the delay by the federal government to compel the electricity company to make available to every household pre-paid meters.
Hajiya Laraba who earns her living through the sales of soft drinks and sachet water told Daily post that the high cost of electricity has begun to tell negatively on her business.
Displaying her numerous electricity bills before DAILY POST reporter, she said there is a need for relevant authorities to as a matter of urgency wade into the extortion.
Also on his part, Emeka Sunday, who owns a barbing saloon, said the outrageous bill, is on the verge of forcing his business to close.
Unlike Emeka and Laraba, Salome Husseini, who told our correspondent that her inability to pay the bill has led to the disconnection of her shop, said she has resorted to using generators.
Reacting, the principal manager, corporate communications of YEDC, Kingsley Nkemneme, said the increase in electricity bill has nothing to do with tariff increase.
He said, “What happened is that the energy consumption for the month of December which was what was billed for customers to pay in January 2022 increased.
“Customers according to him enjoyed a minimum of 20 to 24 hrs electricity supply. So we are aware of the complaints. We are going to address them.”