Residents in Juba are raising alarm over what they describe as widespread overcharging by electricity Point-of-Sale (POS) agents, despite clear guidelines issued by the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) limiting commissions to just 2 percent.
The growing frustration follows a public notice shared on JEDCO’s official platforms, reiterating that all authorised agents must strictly adhere to the approved 2 percent commission on electricity token purchases.
The company warned that any agent exceeding this threshold would be in violation of its regulations and urged customers to report offenders through its toll-free lines and communication channels.
But for many consumers, the directive appears to exist more on paper than in practice.
Across several neighbourhoods in the capital, residents say they are routinely being asked to pay commissions as high as 10 percent five times the official rate.
The extra charges, often presented as non-negotiable, are adding to the financial strain on households already grappling with rising living costs.
“They’re ripping off people. They charge 10 percent,” wrote Mariak Bol in response to the notice.
Another resident, Mabil Pathot, described the impact in practical terms: “My goodness! Your agent here is taking 10%. That’s if you need 50,000 SSP power, they will take 55,000 SSP.”
The complaints, widely echoed on social media and in community discussions, suggest a pattern of inconsistent compliance among POS operators.
While some consumers report being able to challenge the inflated fees, others say they feel pressured to accept the charges to avoid delays or outright denial of service.
One resident, Victor Lawrence Lual, recounted how insisting on the official rate led to a rare outcome.
“I raised the issue immediately… After some discussion, they finally agreed to charge only the 2% commission as stipulated by JEDCO,” he said, urging others to stay informed and report violations.
Beyond complaints, some users have raised deeper structural concerns about the system itself. Elias B. Balli questioned whether agents are adequately supported to operate within the 2 percent limit.
“What does this mean?” he asked. “Do you provide internet packages for the agents to access your system? Do you offer free thermal papers for POS machines? Do you provide transport allowance for agents when going to purchase units? Please conduct an assessment and analyze the expected results before issuing such notices.”
His remarks highlight a broader debate whether the alleged overcharging stems solely from misconduct by agents, or from systemic gaps that may be pushing operators to pass operational costs onto consumers.
Additional frustrations also surfaced around electricity consumption itself.
IZO Jr questioned the affordability of power usage, claiming even minimal appliances are consuming units at an unsustainable rate.
“Imagine my small fan works 24 hours with more than 2kW like 12,000 SSP per day, sad kabisa,” he wrote.
These mixed reactions underscore a deeper issue—one of enforcement gaps, operational challenges, and growing distrust.
While JEDCO maintains that it is safeguarding consumer interests, critics argue that enforcement remains weak, effectively shifting the burden of compliance onto the public.
Without visible monitoring or penalties, some agents continue to operate outside the rules with little consequence.
For many families, the alleged overcharging is more than just an inconvenience it is seen as a form of exploitation at a time when basic services are already difficult to afford.
Electricity, a critical necessity in Juba’s hot climate, has become yet another pressure point in the daily struggle to make ends meet.
Consumer advocates warn that if the situation persists, it could further erode trust in service providers and public institutions.
“People need to see action, not just statements,” one observer noted. “If the rules are clear, then enforcement must be visible.”
As complaints continue to mount, residents are calling on JEDCO and relevant authorities to step up oversight, hold violators accountable, and restore confidence in the system.
Until then, many say, the simple act of buying electricity will remain a source of frustration—and an added cost they can ill afford.
