BY TONY OKAFOR
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company’s (EEDC) boycott of the Awka Stakeholders’ Meeting, convened by renowned right activist Osita Obi, is a concerning development that could potentially threaten public peace.
The meeting aimed to address the perennial power supply challenges plaguing the region.
Despite widespread publicity, the EEDC’s absence was a glaring snub, leaving consumers feeling frustrated, ignored, and disenfranchised.
The company’s failure to attend the meeting is a clear abdication of its responsibility to engage with its customers and address their grievances.
The EEDC’s monopoly on power supply in the region has led to inefficiencies, unreliable services, exploitation of consumers, and often public protests.
For instance, the company’s erratic billing system has resulted in many consumers receiving inflated bills, while others have been subjected to prolonged power outages without any explanation or compensation.
Boycotting the meeting may be perceived as a disregard for the concerns of the community, which could lead to widespread frustration and discontent among residents.
The boycott may be viewed as a betrayal of public trust, as the EEDC is expected to engage with the stakeholders and address their concerns.
To mitigate this risk, it is essential for the EEDC to re-engage with the community/stakeholders and address their concerns in a transparent and timely manner.
This may involve providing explanations for their absence from the meeting and working to rebuild trust with the community.
The demands made by consumers at the Awka meeting are reasonable and deserving of urgent attention.
These demands include the unbundling of the EEDC to promote competition, the establishment of independent power plants to increase supply, and the enactment of legislation to regulate electricity billing.
We call on the relevant authorities, including the Anambra State Government, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Federal Government, to take immediate action to address these demands. The EEDC must be held accountable for its actions and inactions.
The people of Anambra State and the region in general deserve better. They deserve reliable, efficient, and affordable electricity supply. It is time for the EEDC to listen to the voices of its customers and take concrete steps to address their concerns.
As we move forward, we urge consumers to remain vigilant and continue to demand better services from the EEDC.
The time for change is now, and it is imperative that the EEDC and relevant authorities take immediate action to address the concerns of the people and provide reliable, efficient, and affordable electricity supply.
Ubi jus ibi remedium – Where there is a right, there is a remedy.
