Trouble for DisCos as electricity users declare indefinite strike

1 month ago 2

Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology and the stock market.

The Southeast Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has announced that residents in the region will embark on an indefinite strike starting from November 1.

In a statement issued on Sunday, SEECA's national chairman, Okechukwu Obioha, highlighted ongoing disputes with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), particularly concerns about the alleged migration of all consumers to Band A, as key reasons for the planned strike.

Consumers to strike over electricity tariff hikeElectricity Consumers Set for Indefinite Strike, Reject Migration to Band A, Others
Source: UGC

It would be recalled that Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved a N240% increment in the electricity tariff for Band A consumers.

The consumers under this categorisation enjoy a guaranteed minimum daily provision of 20 hours of electricity.

Obioha criticized the discriminatory "banding" system applied to electricity consumers and advocated for a standardized tariff that would apply equally to all consumers in the Southeast region.

He said:

“The resolution is this day the 13th October, 2024, stated unequivocally that from the 1st November, 2024, there will be an indefinite strike by all electricity consumers (customers) in the southeast.”

Obioha further noted that the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) had failed to follow a directive from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to refund N11.86 billion to consumers who were overcharged between January and September 2023.

He emphasized the need for distribution companies (DisCos) operating in the region to urgently begin repairs and supply critical equipment such as transformers, wires, cables, poles, prepaid meters, and other essential components required for effective electricity distribution.

He added:

“EEDC and Aba Power Ltd, Geometric, must as a matter of urgent importance take stock and commence an assemblage, repair and replacement of all bad transformers, begin to provide wires, cables and poles as required by NERC regulations."

Obioha urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and, by extension, the Federal Government to instruct the EEDC, Aba Power Ltd and Geometric, to halt electricity supply to all consumers in the region until the outlined conditions are fulfilled.

He added that the association would leverage its network to inform and mobilize community leaders, encouraging them to stop paying for electricity and remain without power in protest.

Ikeja Electric, EKEDC upgrade more customers to Band A

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Ikeja Electric Plc and Eko Electricity Distribution Company were permitted to incorporate extra Band A feeders into their respective networks.

The electricity distribution firms communicated these updates through individual announcements on their official social media channels.

While Ikeja Electric increased its number of Band A feeders by 34, EKEDC increased its own by 33 more.

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Source: Legit.ng

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