Privatisation, prepaid metering and electricity billing scam of Enugu electricity distribution company (EEDC) in Enugu metropolis of Nigeria

Abstract

This study underscores the contexts and crisis of privatisation in Nigeria's power sector to apprehend the level of prepaid meters distribution to consumers, the conflicting billing methods adopted and its impact on both the electricity consumers and revenue generation stream of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). The descriptive survey method and correlation design were used, with sample drawn from Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. The results reveal that the introduction of prepaid metering and billing system did not improve electricity power distribution to consumers. There are still huge metering gaps in prepaid meter distribution to consumers resulting in distorted/partial implementation of both prepaid and estimated billing systems at the same time. This leads to imposition of non‐cost reflective tariffs on electricity consumers. It undermines efficiency, encourage corruption, meter scam by EEDC workers and low revenue generation for EEDC. The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should use taskforce to strictly monitor the distribution of prepared meter in Enugu metropolis by the Discos and promptly sanction the EEDC for infractions, to guarantee adequate electricity consumers protection in Nigeria.

Parliamentary democracy and citizen's welfare in Nigeria: The case of National Assembly

“…Nigeria has been in quagmire of a pseudo‐democratic dispensation that seems to have cataclysmically alienated the citizens from social welfare (Nwanolue, 2003). The Nigerian National Assembly which is charged with the role of enactment of laws that govern the federation has not been able to legislate beyond scientific frivolities, actions of personal aggrandizement, self‐succession, permanentization of parliamentary seat syndrome, policies of prebendalism, favoritism, nepotism, squander‐mania and arbitrary enhancement of their personal emoluments in a quick successive, sarcastic and contentious manner (Obiorji & Iwuoha, 2021). The National Assembly approved for itself about N150 billion annually between 2010 and 2013, amounting to about N600 billion.…”