Anambra residents have vowed to sack the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) from the state, over its inability to supply power.
A mass protest by professional bodies, market leaders, youths, civil servants, took place in Awka yesterday, where they decried the absence of electricity in their homes and offices for months now.
The protesters also gave the electricity company one week ultimatum to restore electricity in the capital city or their offices in the state would be shut down.
Engr. Kenneth Moneke, who led the protesters, under the auspices of Anambra Association of Electricity Consumers (AAEC) expressed anger saying that for four months, the Awka capital city had remained in darkness, while the residents kept receiving estimated bills from (EEDC) amounting to over 20,000 per month.
According to Moneke, “We do not want to allow the youths to take to violence, what we need is peace in the land, but by next week Friday, if (EDDC) fails to address this issue, we will have no other option than to close down (EEDC) offices in the state.
“The explanations from this office are not well received by the people because electricity distribution is not a rocket science but practical.
“We have come to realize that what you do in this state is to make money for those in charge and allow the poor masses to suffer the consequences, but we are here today to tell you that such idea will end immediately.
“The situation has touched everybody, this place will be shutdown, just take the message to the appropriate authorities because we have seen the problems are beyond you.”
In his response, the manager of Awka distribution centre, Mr. Samuel Onuorah Udemgba, said that EEDC ran a system that was controlled by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
“The commission gave (EEDC) a template that we follow, the problem is not from us, the consumers have every right to be angry.
“We are going to work now based on the visit, but you should know that the two transformers from Nibo substation are having problems, in fact, what we use now is the smaller one for the entire Awka and this is a major challenge we are facing right now.
“What we are asking from you people is to have patience with (EEDC) as the company is making every arrangement in making sure that things return to normal”, Udemgba said.
Electricity users in Enugu it would be recalled has had similar protest, and threatened to ban the company in the state.
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