Customers in South East criticize Discos for their outage and want a one-month boycott.
Customers of electricity in the nation’s South-East geopolitical zone have threatened to “remain in darkness” for one month in protest of ongoing power outages, extortion, inflated bills, and the lack of pre-paid meters for all customers in the area.
According to Ndiigboworldwide findings, the region’s constant power outages have largely paralyzed both commercial and economic activities. As a result, the majority of shop owners and small businesses now rely on diesel to run their operations, while others that cannot afford the expense of diesel have “temporarily” closed their establishments in anticipation of an improvement in the power situation.
This occurred at the same time that people in the area were complaining about “outrageous and irritative estimated electricity billing” while the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company was experiencing a power outage.
Electricity is distributed by EEDC to states in the South-East, including Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi.
They announced their intention to start a one-month warning boycott following a stakeholder meeting on April 4 that was concurrently convened in all five of the region’s states. The South-East Electricity Consumers Association organized the gathering.
In a statement released following the meetings, SEECA Chairman and Secretary, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, JP, and Mr. Ogubuike Ibeagi, respectively, stated that the organization’s goal was to act as a liaison between the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, distribution companies, and electricity consumers, in order to improve the distribution companies’ ability to fulfill their contractual obligations to the local populace.
Obioha and Ibeagi lamented that the NERC/EEDC had kept the people not only in “epileptic or kwashiorkor-ridden electricity supply for far too long, but in darkness presently.” They clarified that everyone will be in “total darkness” during the “warning strike,” which would be declared following a stakeholders meeting in May. Those on prepaid meters will not recharge.
They clarified that the purpose of the exercise and engagement was to support NERC in overseeing and carrying out its obligations to consumers, Discos, and the law. It also served as a collective voice for consumers’ rights to fully benefit from access to electricity without interference or hindrance.
Additionally, SEECA opposed the federal government’s proposed 300 percent rise in power rates and vehemently advocated for prepaid meters to be put in every home and place of business prior to the implementation.
The statement went on to say, “As of today, April 4, 2024, no electricity user covered by the DisCo, EEDC, shall be responsible for paying for a prepaid meter or meters. Since the meter or meters are owned by EEDC, they are required by law to be given to customers for free.
“Transformers for electrical consumption should not be purchased or provided by any individual, community, or group. Purchase of the transformer should follow discussions and Memorandums of Understanding with the EEDC or Geometrics, if that is absolutely necessary. If that is the case, the cost of the transformer or transformers should be included into the energy consumption of the DisCo-affected clients.
“The DisCo shall not turn off the lights until at least two weeks have passed following the issuance of invoices reflecting anticipated consumption that are not subject to dispute.
“We demand that prepaid meters be supplied to all customers and that anticipated bills be discontinued; if not, we demand that customers’ lights not be turned off.
“We firmly suggest that prepaid meters be put in every home and company before to the implementation, and we disapprove of the Federal Government’s announced 300 percent rise in tariffs.
“We ask that no customer obstruct, fight, or argue with any EEDC worker as they climb the pole with the ladder to cut the light.”
“We will declare a one-month warning strike to stay in the dark following our May 2, 2024 meeting, as EEDC has trained us and given us developed immunity to the dark.”
Since we are so well-organized and aware of the situation, no customer will give EEDC a single kobo during this strike. Prepaid users won’t be able to recharge. Before any more amicable measures are disclosed, let’s test and remain in complete darkness as a warning. We are making progress on brightening up the Southeast.
According to NERC and its bands, SEECA advised users of prepaid meters to cease recharging unless they are certain of an adequate supply of power.
“EEDC and APL – Geometrics – must provide prepaid meters and transformers as required by law,” the statement continued. They own it. In addition, they have to supply the NERC-banded users with adequate electricity.
Customers are giving NERC, EEDC, and APL-Geometrics a one-month warning strike. During that time, no customer may, under any circumstances, cause the DisCos’ employees to turn out the lights. Avoid arguing or fighting with them. They have left us in the dark right now in addition to keeping our electrical supply kwashiorkor-ridden or epileptic for far too long.
“We’ll hold our money; let them hold their light.” It’s time for all South East power users to rise to the challenge and put an end to the exploitation and darkness. Join your state platform to facilitate efficient collaboration and guidance.
Speaking to Ndiigbo at the conclusion of their meeting in Onitsha, Anambra State, some irate customers bemoaned the fact that, in spite of their continued “perpetual darkness,” EEDC representatives continued to send them “outrageous” bills—a violation of NERC policy, which mandated that estimated billing cease until prepaid meters are delivered.
The irate tenants, who were escorted by their landlords to the several zones’ meetings, vented their resentment and expressed sorrow.
Following the meeting, Chief Godwin Obi, a local and businessman, made the following statement: “We are in favor of the strike; let them take their light, while we hold our money.” In contrast to other parts of the nation, the South-East has a very sympathetic electrical situation, and we are really sorry about the state the DisCo has left us in. They have been leaving our homes and businesses in complete darkness for months now, but they still send us astronomical fees. Does it mean we have to pay for darkness?
“They haven’t given us electricity for the full two hours of each day since October of last year, yet they still send us monthly bills that are getting more. Nowadays, the majority of businesses rely on fuel to operate, and those who cannot afford to do so have temporarily closed until things improve. This ought to be intolerable to everyone involved.
“We can’t remember the last time we slept with electricity for three hours since December last year, yet we get outrageous bills,” stated Grace Osondu, another resident. The ongoing power loss has rendered home and commercial operations impossible. The exorbitant cost of gasoline has made matters worse by causing most homeowners to stop using their generators, which has left the whole neighborhood in complete darkness.
“The EEDC used to charge us N15,000 per flat when the light was somewhat stable, but now that they only provide light for two hours at midnight, they are charging us N25,000. This is not typical.” We sleep outside most of the time because of the extreme heat; our spouses no longer come near us at night because of the heat. We eagerly await the arrival of the rainy season.
In February alone, some people received N50,000, even though they went without electricity for up to five times that month. Some of us have enormous debts that are due each month; where in Nigeria is someone paying such a charge in a flat? That is what these times are about for us.
