In Anambra, youths Protest exorbitant EEDC electricity bills

Some youths of Nnewi, Nnewi North LGA, under the auspices of Uruagu Youths Forum, on Saturday, protested over alleged exorbitant electricity charges they receive from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

The protesters, who caused traffic gridlock along Nnewi/Onitsha road for almost wo hours lamented that industrial hub was worrisome.

Leader of the group and President of Uruagu Youths Forum, Mr Darlington Obi, alleged that the activities of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) was becoming exploitative and embarrassing as residents were made to pay for electricity they never consumed.

Obi said it has become characteristic of EEDC to give epileptic power supply to the people only to then go ahead and distribute crazy bills at the end of every month.

He asked the power distribution company to distribute prepaid meters available to individual consumer so as to put an end to the hike electricity tariff in the area.

“We have every reason to take to the street to press home our demands that mechanism must be in place to make sure we pay for electricity we consumed, anything short of that would not be allowed.

“A commercial bus driver in an accident knocked high tension electric pole, the youths arrested the driver and handed him to the police. EEDC manager was called and after negotiations, the offending driver paid what they said would be needed to replace the fallen electric pole. After many months, the EEDC has not brought the replacement paid for thereby subjecting the people in the area to danger,” he said.

The placard carrying youths were however persuaded to leave the road and allow free flow of traffic by the PG of the community, Hon Charles Nwonye, and other influential individuals with the promise that their grievance would be taken to the relevant authority.

All efforts to get the EEDC side of the story did not yield any positive dividend as Mr Emeka Ezeh, the Head Communications of the company did not respond to a message sent to him. 

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