Consumers Challenge EEDC Over Poor Service Delivery
Residents and power consumers in Nigeria’s South-East region have taken on the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), decrying what they describe as persistent inefficiencies and an unreliable power supply.
EEDC, which oversees electricity distribution across the five South-East states—Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi—faced criticism from concerned consumers during a town hall meeting held in Awka. The gathering, organized by the Electricity Consumers Rights Network and other stakeholders, served as a platform for consumers to air their frustrations over erratic billing, inadequate supply, and poor service delivery.
In a communiqué released after the meeting, the aggrieved consumers demanded urgent reforms within the power sector, emphasizing the need for competition and improved service quality.
“The lack of competition in the power supply sector has led to inefficiencies, unreliable services, and exploitation of consumers,” the statement read. It was jointly signed by Osita Obi, National Coordinator of the Electricity Consumers Rights Network, and Emeka Ral, the group’s Secretary.
The communiqué further criticized EEDC’s involvement in electricity meter manufacturing, calling it a conflict of interest that allows the company to regulate itself. Among the key demands were the immediate unbundling of EEDC to foster competition and efficiency, as well as the establishment of independent power plants by state governments to provide alternative electricity sources.
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EEDC Responds
In response, the Head of Corporate Communications at EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, attributed the challenges facing the power sector to broader national issues, insisting they were not unique to the South-East or EEDC alone.
“The challenge of power supply is a national concern and not peculiar to EEDC or the South-East region. So, let’s not paint it as if it is only obtainable within the South-East. EEDC, as the distribution company responsible for the region, is doing everything possible within its means to provide and deliver quality service to its customers,” Ezeh stated.
He also stressed that while distribution companies have a role to play, the entire power sector must be addressed holistically to ensure sustainable and improved service delivery.
