The Southeast Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has announced that residents in the region will embark on an indefinite strike starting from November 1.
In a statement issued on Sunday, SEECA’s national chairman, Okechukwu Obioha, highlighted ongoing disputes with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), particularly concerns about the alleged migration of all consumers to Band A, as key reasons for the planned strike.
It would be recalled that TimesNow.com.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved a N240% increment in the electricity tariff for Band A consumers.
Consumers in this category enjoy a guaranteed minimum daily provision of 20 hours of electricity.
It is worth noting that since the categorisation and increase in tariff, many communities have protested planned upgrades to the highly expensive category.
Obioha criticised the discriminatory “banding” system applied to electricity consumers and advocated for a standardised tariff that would apply equally to all consumers in the southeast region.
He said:
Obioha further noted that the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) had failed to follow NERC’s directive to refund N11.86 billion to consumers who were overcharged between January and September 2023.
He emphasised the need for distribution companies (DisCos) operating in the region to urgently begin repairs and supply critical equipment such as transformers, wires, cables, poles, prepaid meters, and other essential components required for effective electricity distribution.
He added:
Obioha urged NERC and, by extension, the Federal Government to instruct the EEDC, Aba Power Ltd and Geometric to halt electricity supply to all consumers in the region until the outlined conditions are fulfilled.
He added that the association would leverage its network to inform and mobilise community leaders, encouraging them to stop paying for electricity and remain without power in protest.
Meanwhile, TimesNow.com.ng earlier reported that Ikeja Electric Plc and Eko Electricity Distribution Company were permitted to incorporate extra Band A feeders into their respective networks.
The electricity distribution firms communicated these updates through individual announcements on their official social media channels.
While Ikeja Electric increased its number of Band A feeders by 34, EKEDC increased its own by 33 more.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at TimesNow.com.ng.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
