Obafemi Hamzat set the tone for a charged discourse when he revealed a jaw-dropping spike in his official residence’s electricity bill—from N2.7 million in March to a staggering N29 million in April. “I sent it to the Commissioner for Energy. It’s crazy,” Hamzat said, disbelief still laced in his voice. His revelation stunned participants at a stakeholder meeting on Victoria Island, where both the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Lagos State Government officials were present.
Obafemi Hamzat lamented that even as a government official with the means to procure a meter to escape estimated billing, the system remains convoluted. “I bought a meter, but to convert it is wahala,” he said, highlighting the corruption and inefficiency embedded within Nigeria’s electricity distribution architecture. His experience underscored what millions of Nigerians endure daily—being charged exorbitantly for unreliable power.
“How Can a Power Bill Be More Than Rent?” — Hamzat Condemns DisCo Exploitation
Obafemi Hamzat gave a scathing critique of Nigeria’s electricity billing culture, particularly the practice of issuing outrageous estimated bills. Citing a case from Coker Aguda in Surulere, he described how a resident was slapped with a N2.8 million electricity bill—despite paying only N2 million annually for rent. “How can the bill be more than the man’s rent for a year?” he asked with visible frustration.
The Deputy Governor condemned the irrationality and cruelty of such billing practices, insisting they are crushing low-income earners. “Our people are suffering because of estimated billing,” he declared. According to Hamzat, the electricity providers have become predatory monopolies that operate unchecked, exploiting citizens while delivering minimal power.
“Power Is a Lifeline, But Nigerians Don’t Have It” — Hamzat Blasts Energy Sector Failure
Obafemi Hamzat did not hold back on the systemic failures that continue to plague Nigeria’s energy sector. “People that are trying to survive—the common denominator for them is power. They don’t have it,” he said. For him, electricity should be a basic necessity, not a luxury weaponized by DisCos to extract revenue through opaque billing.
He emphasized that without stable power, small businesses collapse, healthcare services falter, and education suffers. “The entire economy runs on energy, yet we’ve turned electricity into a nightmare,” he said. Hamzat called for an overhaul of the current system, including stricter regulation and consumer protection to safeguard Nigerians from exploitation.
“Estimated Billing Is a Legal Scam” — Obafemi Hamzat Urges for Accountability
Obafemi Hamzat termed the practice of estimated billing as “a legal scam,” arguing that it allows electricity distribution companies to fleece customers without consequence. “Even when you get a meter, converting it to actual use becomes another problem,” he lamented, accusing DisCos of creating artificial bottlenecks to retain control over billing.
He called for the urgent intervention of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to clamp down on rogue practices. “It’s time for a full audit of DisCos and their billing systems,” Hamzat said. According to him, the culture of impunity within the power sector threatens national development and erodes public trust in governance.
“We Need Legislative Muscle to Break This Cartel” — Obafemi Hamzat Calls on NASS
Hamzat urged Nigeria’s National Assembly to wade into what he described as “a power cartel holding Nigerians hostage.” He argued that electricity distribution companies, despite privatization, have failed to deliver any tangible improvements. “They are private in name but monopolistic in behavior,” he said.
According to Hamzat, only legislative action can address the exploitative nature of the DisCos and ensure Nigerians get value for money. “Lagos State can’t do this alone,” he admitted. “We need federal lawmakers to legislate the death of estimated billing and usher in consumer-friendly energy reforms.”
“Fix Power or Forget Development” — Hamzat Issues Final Warning
In a final and forceful tone, Obafemi Hamzat declared that Nigeria’s dream of development will remain a mirage if the power sector is not fixed. “You cannot industrialize darkness,” he stated. “Without electricity, we are running in circles—producing nothing, exporting nothing, and frustrating everyone.”
He warned that the electricity crisis is not just an inconvenience—it’s a national emergency. “The way forward is a transparent billing system, metering for all, and total deregulation,” he said. Hamzat concluded by calling on both public and private stakeholders to prioritize citizens’ welfare over profits and politics.
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