Electricity Now Costlier Than House Rent — Abia Residents Groan Over Crazy Bills

Residents of Umuahia, Abia State capital, are groaning under what they describe as “crazy” electricity bills, with many lamenting that power costs now rival, and in some cases exceed, house rents. Despite a series of protests by affected residents, respite seems not to be in sight yet.

The growing outrage is driven by a combination of factors—high tariffs, estimated billing, and worsening power supply—a situation many say is pushing households and small businesses to the brink.

Investigations show that residents who paid between N6,000 and N14,000 as recently as June 2025 now receive monthly bills ranging from N50,000 to N70,000. Ironically, the sharp increase in billing has coincided with a noticeable drop in electricity supply.

In Umuahia, annual rent for a three-bedroom apartment averages between ₦350,000 and ₦550,000. Broken down monthly, many residents now pay more for electricity than for shelter—a trend widely described as unsustainable.

Those without prepaid meters are the hardest hit, as they remain subject to estimated billing under the Band tariff system.