Poor electricity supply: Anambra electricity consumers plan protest, inform Soludo, Police

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By Madu Obi

Worried by the near total public power blackout in Anambra State, electricity consumers in the state have planned a statewide protest to drive home their frustration.

The organizers of the protest, under the auspices of Electricity Consumers Rights Initiative and Electricity Consumers Rights Network, have already written the state governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and visited the state Police headquarters and the Department of State Service, DSS, intimating them of their plan.

The protest, which will take place on March 14, is expected to take off from Ekwueme Square close to the Government House.

In the letter addressed to the governor, the convener, Comrade Osita Obi, said the aim is to draw urgent attention to the persistent challenges faced by electricity consumers in the state and to compel the relevant electricity distribution authorities to address the issues.

Their demands include Improvement of electricity supply across Anambra State, which has remained grossly inadequate despite the financial burden placed on consumers; immediate installation of prepaid meters for electricity consumers and the complete stoppage of estimated billing, which is currently being carried out arbitrarily and without proper computerized metering systems.

They are also demanding immediate suspension of the electricity band tariff regime, which they say, has imposed additional financial hardship on consumers without corresponding improvement in electricity supply, and what they described as extortion, over-billing, and exploitation being perpetrated by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and First Power against electricity consumers in the state.

Obi said the consumers are mindful of the upcoming swearing-in ceremony marking the commencement of the governor's second term in office on March 17, assuring, however, that as ardent supporters of Soludo's government, they would not engage in any action that could portray his administration in a negative light.

"We wish to assure Your Excellency that this rally will be conducted peacefully and in an orderly manner. Adequate mechanisms have been put in place to ensure discipline among participants and to prevent any undesirable elements from hijacking the rally or causing public disturbance", he said.

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Meanwhile, the state Police command has urged the organisers to adopt constructive dialogue and engagement with the relevant authorities responsible for electricity regulation and distribution, rather than resorting to street protests that may disrupt public order.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that an hour-long meeting was held with the organizers on Monday at the Anambra State Police Command, Awka over the issue.

Ikenga said that during the discussions, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Ibrahim Ezekiel, acknowledged the concerns raised by the group regarding electricity supply.

He said the command, however ,emphasized the importance of peaceful and lawful channels in addressing grievances and encouraged stakeholders to pursue institutional means of resolving the issues affecting residents.

"The Anambra State Police Command reassures the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order while promoting peaceful engagement between citizens and relevant authorities", the PPRO stated.