The South-East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has announced its intention to protest against the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC)’s proposal to transition its customers in the region to Band A starting November 1.
The decision to protest was revealed in a statement on Monday by SEECA’s National Chairman, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, and National Secretary, Mr. Ogubuike Ibeagi, following an extraordinary meeting of the Consultative Assembly held on Sunday in Enugu.
This announcement comes after EEDC’s Acting Managing Director, Dr. Ernest Mupwaya, stated on October 9 during the company’s Customer Service Week that the transition would allow electricity users to receive at least 20 hours of power supply daily.
However, SEECA representatives argue that EEDC has failed to comply with a directive from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to refund N11.86 billion to South-East consumers for overbilling that occurred between January and September 2023.
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The officials declared that their protest would not involve physical demonstrations at NERC, EEDC, or Aba Geometric Power Limited offices. Instead, they plan to mobilize support from traditional rulers and community leaders to encourage consumers to halt electricity payments and accept power outages.
“Our resolution this day is that from Nov. 1, there will be an indefinite strike by all electricity consumers in the Southeast for ‘banding’ of electricity consumers in the South-East,” they stated.
This strike will involve a halt to payments for electricity, with a particular focus on consumers without prepaid meters facing estimated billing and bulk community billing. SEECA demands a uniform tariff for all electricity consumers in the region.
The group also urged EEDC and Aba Geometric Power Limited to urgently assess and replace faulty transformers, as well as provide necessary infrastructure such as wires and poles in accordance with NERC regulations.
“We are calling on them to refund all over-billed consumers to the tune of N11.86 billion as investigated and ordered by NERC,” they added.
SEECA concluded by encouraging NERC and the Federal Government to advise EEDC and Aba Power Ltd to cease electricity supply to South-East consumers until their demands are addressed.
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