I have come to discover that we need to start from the basics before we can really begin to talk about solving the power problem in Nigeria. So I begin this by carefully looking at what makes up the power supply bill.
Yes, the first step is to ensure you are on the Utility billing system
(in this case PHCN). Some people think they are smart when they
prefer bribing officials rather than getting and settling their
electricity bills, if only they know how much they are being shortchanged!
Many people who even have a bill just collect it and only consider
the "PAY TOTAL DUE NOW", then complain that NEPA or PHCN is
wicked. Do you really understand how your electricity bill is
structured? Let.s consider that now.
WHAT ARE THE INFORMATION ON YOUR BILL
1. Account No
This is the number that your Utility company (PHCN) gives to
you and it is peculiar to you alone. However, if you stay in a
building of several apartments owned by a single Landlord, the
different bills may carry the same name but the account
numbers will be different.
Hence, you need to identify and make sure you make payment
on the bill that bears only YOUR OWN ACCOUNT NUMBER.
2. Name
This is the name of the account(s) holder
3. Service Address.
This is address of the place being billed.
4. Due Date
Date reflecting the point up to which you are being billed from
the previous month
5. Meter No
The serial number on your energy meter.
6. ADC
Average Daily Consumption
7. DIALS
The number of digits that will be read from your meter
8. Previous balance
Outstanding debt/credit from the previous month
9. Adjustment
Adjustments made on your bills by the Utility company to correct
either under-billing or over-billing
10. Net Arrears
The Outstanding balance after the necessary adjustments have
been made.
11. Description
This determines what you are being charged for an a monthly
basis and is as follows:
I. ENERGY
II. FIXED
III. METER MAINT
ENERGY
This is computed from the following parameters:
a. Tariff Code- this determines the rates on which your bill will
be based and is basically structured into four parts for non-
MD customers:
• Single Phase Residential Tariff -------------- R1 or R2
• Three Phase Residential Tariff --------------- R3
• Single Phase Commercial Tariff--------------C1
• Three Phase Commercial Tariff---------------C2
These are the basic categories available, though there might be
some other subdivision as determined by the utility company for
certain areas.
So check your bill, are you placed on the right tariff. If You are a
Single Phase Residential Customer and instead of R1 or R2 you
have C1 on your bills, then it means you are being billed higher
than what you are using, because C1 is for commercial
customers and has a higher rate than R1 & R2.
b. Read Date
Shows the date the present readings recorded on bill was taken
c. Present Reading
Shows your meter reading against the date as recorded by your
utility company
d. Previous Reading
Shows your Meter reading for the preceding month
e. Multiplier
The multiplying factor which essentially would have a value of 1
as long as the accuracy of your Energy meter is not in doubt
f. Consumption
This is the difference between the Present and Previous readings
multiplied by the multiplier to give the value of the total units of
electric energy used for the month
g. Current Charges
Is the product of the Consumption above and applicable Tariff
rate
FIXED
This is the fixed charges the electric utility charges monthly as
long as you remain a customer of the company. It does varies
for the various tariff structures but it is fixed.
METER MAINT
This is also another fixed charge that PHCN introduced some
couple of years back. Though many people have queried the
introduction, as the meter maintenance services it is supposedly
meant for, is never carried out and customers still pay for
Energy Meters, the METER MAINT still remains on the bill and
presently fixed on N100 and N500 for single and three phase
customers respectively.
12. OTHERS
The other vital details on the bill include:
LAR- last actual readings which gives the readings and date your
Meter was physically read and the readings used in the
processing of your bill.
Your tariff structure rate
Reconnection fee, if your supply is disconnected as a result of
default in bill settlement.
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