Enugu Electricity consumers set for showdown

By SUCCESS UCHIME

Electric consumers in Enugu under the auspices of Enugu Electricity Consumers Forum (EECF) are heading for a showdown with the Enugu Electricty Distribution Company (EEDC) over the recent outrageous light bills sent to their members.

EEDC Staff at work

     In a statement by its National Chairman, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha (JP) he said that his organization has given a two-week ultimatum to Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to mandate EEDC to take positive action in elleviating their suffering, after which their members we go all out to protest the irregularities on the part of EEDC.
    He noted that in their letter, they bitterly complained the act of shortchanging of their members by the EEDC, adding that though they were not getting light as they aught to, still outrageous bills are being sent to them monthly as estimated consumers.
    “Now we have reached a melting point in our patience and long-suffering, we have decided to issue a “Save Our Soul” appeal to NERC. Our recent October bills which was increased five to six hundred percent, is to say the least strangulating, as every economic life both domestic and commercial in us is being sniffed out” he stated.
    According to Obioha, if NERC does not wade in with the big stick quickly, they will all perish in darkness; hence their members have gone individually and written both to NERC office in Enugu and EEDC headquarters also in Enugu.
     He stated: “EEDC told us that there is nothing they can do, with the reason that they distribute the cost of light as they buy. We have advised our members to pay the amount on their previous bills while we await the response of NERC and they have complied. EEDC nevertheless, had gone ahead to disconnect a lot of members and still going on massive disconnection.”
     He said that there are hues, cries and violent anger among their members and that they boiling and spoiling for combat and confrontation if nothing is done urgently, adding that they do not want a breakdown of law and order in this zone, hence their call for “Save Our Soul” without delay.
      Obioha recalled that his group had called a very crucial meeting last November 22 at Okpara Square, Independent Layout, Enugu, where they demanded among others that the EEDC should stop disconnection and immediately reconnect all those who have paid their October 2016 bill without expense on them.
     He noted that hey also demanded that EEDC should stop billing estimated consumers covered by EEDC as a distribution company, until every consumer is metered with prepaid meter, and also that bad transformers and lines should be replaced and consumers’ complaints attended to speedily without bureaucratic tendencies and no demand for gratification sought by EEDC staffers will be honored before such repairs and services are rendered.
      “Since several petitions have been written to EEDC on account of the above anomalies and other specific related electricity distribution/consumption problems, and they did not respond, we have persuaded our members to sheath their swords of violent anger and reaction and wait for EERC response” he further stated.