Introduction:

Recently, 3 persons who are close to the writer shared their respective experiences with their electricity distribution companies (Discos) concerning lack of electricity meters or lack of proper metering of their respective premises and the attendant consequences; and their stories inspired this piece. The said stories have similar trajectory – featuring irrational estimated billing, accumulation of disputed electricity bills (electricity not used and bill not scientifically-computed), sharp disagreement on electricity usage, loss of time and money on the parts of both parties, the Discos’ insistence that the customer should clear the outstanding (though disputed) bills as presented by the Discos, and finally cessation of relationship whereby the customer’s premises is disconnected by the Discos or the customer disconnected himself from electricity supply.