Abia: Residents protest high electricity tariffs

Abia map

Residents of Umuahia in Abia State on Tuesday took to the streets to protest what they described as harsh and unbearable electricity bills imposed by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

Operating under the banner of Concerned Umuahia Residents, the protesters marched from the EEDC Umuahia office to the Abia State Government House, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We cannot pay ₦50,000 bill,” “Return electricity bill to status quo,” and “Electricity bill is now minimum wage.”

Speaking on the occasion, the leader of the group, Chukwuemeka Ozugbo, said they gathered peacefully to express frustration over the recent sharp increase in electricity charges, explaining that most households previously paid about N10,000 monthly but now receive bills between N50,000 and N70,000 without any corresponding improvement in power supply or any notices.

While describing the sudden rise as outrageous and unjust, especially as most residents are civil servants who earn modest salaries, he questioned how someone earning N70,000 monthly could be expected to pay N50,000 for electricity when supply remains irregular and described the treatment from EEDC as unfair, and “violates natural justice and equity”. He demanded that the company revert to the previous billing rate of about ₦10,000 per household, pointing out that many residents are on postpaid estimated billing and rarely enjoy consistent electricity.

A civil servant, Mr Nnamdi Okenwa who is on prepaid metering, lamented the rising cost of power units, stating that he previously spent N3,000 monthly but now pays between N15,000 and N17,000 despite limited usage, even as EEDC most times, supplies power briefly and then e, bark on disconnection exercises, and cutting off supply again after collecting payments.

Responding on behalf of the state governor, Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, assured residents that their grievances would be officially addressed and resolved through peaceful and structured engagement, and commended them for their peaceful conduct while expressing their rights to fair billing.