Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has said his official residence was hit with N29 million electricity bill in April, an almost tenfold increase from the N2.7 million charged the previous month.
Speaking on Monday during a high-level roundtable between the Lagos State Government and the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, held in Victoria Island, Hamzat decried the unjustified spike and broader challenges faced by residents under the controversial estimated billing system.
The meeting, which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to bring electricity to underserved rural communities, also served as a platform for state officials and REA executives to push for cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions such as solar mini-grids.
“People that are trying to survive, and the common denominator for them is power. They don’t have power. There are billing challenges. In fact, I’m a very good example,” Hamzat said.
“Last month, in my house, or the state house that I live in, the bill was N2.7 million. This month, Eko DisCo sent us a bill of N29 million. I sent it to the commissioner for energy. It’s crazy. I actually procured a meter… but to convert it is wahala.”
The Deputy Governor also highlighted a case in the Coker Aguda area of Surulere, where a resident received an electricity bill of N2.8 million, exceeding his annual rent of N2 million.
“How can the bill be more than the man’s rent for a year? Those are the challenges that we have. Our people are suffering because of estimated billing,” he said.
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, Deputy Governor Hamzat praised Lagos Commissioner for Energy, Biodun Ogunleye, for spearheading the partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, to deliver more stable and affordable electricity through solar energy.
In his address, Ogunleye emphasised the importance of the REA collaboration, noting that it holds the potential to significantly improve electricity access in Lagos, especially for underserved rural areas.
“Opportunities for those who never thought in their lifetime they would experience or live within an environment where there will be constant and stable supply of electricity,” he said.
He added, “REA has been to a number of other states, but when you are not in Lagos, you’re not yet there.”
