Erratic Power Supply: EEDC under fire as Imo residents lament

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, has come under fire by Residents of Imo State following the company’s inability to maintain regular power supply to the people of the state since the beginning of 2024.

The criticisms came mostly from those residing within Owerri, the capital territory.

Expressing their grievances with our correspondent the residents lamented that they were not satisfied with the poor service being rendered by the electricity company as they witnessed constant blackouts on a daily basis.

Narrating his experience, Chuka Igwe, a resident in Egbu, Owerri North LGA, expressed his dismay, stating, ” EEDC has been very unfair to us. Since January this year, the power supply to our area has not been satisfactory. We barely have light for two hours a day and it is affecting businesses. Still, at the end of the month, we receive electricity bills and are compelled to pay” he lamented.

Mr Ephraim Akalonu, owner of a football viewing centre in the area, expressed his frustration, revealing that he exhausts all his profits on fuel to power his generator to keep the business going even at his loss just to satisfy his customers, especially on the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

“I spend about eight to ten thousand naira on petrol for my generator because of poor power supply, at the end of the month I will get electricity bills and I am expected to pay. This is unacceptable. EEDC should improve on their services which have been so poor since the beginning of this year, “he said.

Lending his voice, a trader at the Old Stadium, Owerri, Earnest Ekwe highlighted the decline in power supply, saying, “We hardly see light and when it comes, it does not stay. This is affecting our business. We know that electricity has never been regular but since this year it has not been so good at all, “he complained.

Another resident from Irete, Ben Uche said power supply has now become a nightmare in the state, noting that no reason has been given regarding the unhealthy development.

The consistent complaints from the residents highlight the negative impact of inadequate power supply on both people and business activities.

The frustration is compounded by the monthly billing which often runs at variance with energy consumed leaving residents perplexed about paying for a service not rendered.

As the public backlash against EEDC rages, questions are raised concerning what could be the reasons behind the deteriorating situation in the sector.