The South-East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has announced plans to protest against the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) for its decision to transition customers in the South-East to Band A tariff on November 1.
The announcement was made in a statement jointly signed by SEECA’s National Chairman, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, and National Secretary, Mr. Ogubuike Ibeagi, during an extraordinary meeting of the Consultative Assembly on Sunday in Enugu.
This proposed protest comes in the wake of EEDC’s recent declaration by Acting Managing Director Dr. Ernest Mupwaya, who stated on October 9 that the company would systematically move customers from lower tariff bands to Band A. He argued that this transition would allow electricity users to enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of daily power supply.
However, SEECA officials argue that EEDC has failed to comply with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) order to refund N11.86 billion owed to South-East consumers for overbilling between January and September 2023.
In their statement, the SEECA leaders indicated that the protest would not involve physical demonstrations at NERC, EEDC, or Aba Geometric Power Limited offices. Instead, they plan to mobilize community leaders and traditional rulers through their networks, urging consumers to cease electricity payments and remain in darkness as a form of protest.
“Our resolution is that from November 1, there will be an indefinite strike by all electricity consumers in the South-East regarding the ‘banding’ of electricity consumers,” they stated.
“This strike includes no prepaid meters for all estimated billed consumers, bulk and community billing, and no payments. We demand a uniform tariff for all electricity consumers in the South-East.”
The officials called on EEDC and Aba Geometric Power Limited to urgently assess and repair all faulty transformers and provide necessary infrastructure such as wires, cables, and poles in compliance with NERC regulations. They reiterated their demand for the immediate refund of the overbilled consumers.
“We urge NERC and the Federal Government to advise EEDC and Aba Power Ltd to halt electricity supply to all consumers in the South-East until the required rules of engagement are met,” the SEECA leaders concluded.