An angry Leeds man has raged about how he’s paying '£10 a day' for the electricity in his council flat, despite only 'cooking once a week' and eating mostly bread and butter to save on energy.
Unemployed Mamadu Djalo, 63, is struggling with money, having only recently applied for Universal Credit. On top of that he’s saddled with a pre-payment meter devouring his credit at an alarming rate where he's paying "£50 every five days" – even though he takes extreme precautions to limit the power.
He’s been at his wit's end, trying to figure out why the leccy bill is so high in his flat in Seacroft. Mamadu moved to Leeds City Council high rise Seacroft Gate, in Eastdown Grange, with his 17-year-old son last month.
Read more: Leeds mum-of-three on Universal Credit on 'stress' of reaching 'last tenner'
The pair, originally from Senegal, have been trying “everything” to keep electricity costs down. They’ll make one big batch of food once a week and freeze it, eat "bread and butter" for most meals, turn off all the lights and heaters and more, yet still the 63-year-old is paying £10 a day.
The council has said the meter was not installed by them and has encouraged its tenants to get in touch with their suppliers.
Mamadu, who lost his job as a cleaner last year and has lived in Leeds for 11 years, vented his frustrations. He said: “Oh my god, it’s been very hard. We have to pay £50 for five days for the electric top-up.
“We haven’t been putting on the lights. We might make a little coffee, but everything is off. Sometimes the heater comes on at night but by 7am, it’s off.
“We’ve tried everything! I don’t have a washing machine, we cook one time a week and put it in the freezer, that’s it. Otherwise we’ll eat bread with butter.
“Every five days it’s £50, no matter what! From the day I signed the contract, I was told it would be £20 on the meter. But for three or four days of the week, we switched off all of the lights and all the credit we had left was £5.”
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “The council recognises the impact of high energy prices on our tenants and their families, however the electricity metering equipment is not installed by the council and we are not responsible for the rates charged.
“As a council we are able to offer some support to people who are struggling with high energy bills, but our first advice is always for the customer to get in touch with their supplier. Information about support available can be found on our website.”
After Leeds Live made the council aware of this issue, the local authority contacted Mamadu and he's pleased with its advice in regards to obtaining a better tariff.
Read next:
- The 71 Leeds people banned from running a company who face jail if they try
- 'Baffled' neighbours left distraught as woman found dead in car in Leeds tragedy
- Rastafarian has lived in Leeds for 30 years and never had an issue with racism despite living in 'no-go' area
- The 71 Leeds people banned from running a company who face jail if they try
- Drivers locked in heated standoff on narrow Leeds bridge in rush hour row
