Residents of Imo State have continued to express their frustration with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over inconsistent power supply since the beginning of January 2024.
Many individuals who shared their grievances with the Nigerian Tribune in Owerri on Friday voiced their dissatisfaction with the subpar electricity services provided by EEDC in the state.
A resident in Egbu, Owerri North Local Government, Emeka Okenta expressed his dismay, stating, “EEDC has been very unfair to them adding that since January this year, power supply to the area has not been good.
According to him they barely have light for two hours a day adding that this is really affecting businesses.
He said: “At the end of the month, we receive electricity bills and are compelled to pay.”
Similarly, the owner of a football viewing centre in the area of Kachukwu, revealed that he exhausts all his profits on purchasing fuel for his generator to enable his customers to watch football matches, especially the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
He said: “I spend about eight to ten thousand naira on petrol to buy fuel for my generator because there is 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 bad since the beginning of this year.”
Ernest Ekwe, a trader at Old Stadium, Owerri, highlighted a significant decline in power supply in the areas.
He acknowledged the fact that electricity has never been regular, adding that since this year it has not been so good at all.
He said: “We hardly see light, and when it comes, it does not stay. This is affecting business.”
Another resident of Egbu echoed the sentiment, saying that Electricity has not been good.
He said that when electricity comes, it does not stay long, and no reason is given why it is so bad this time around.
He said: “The worrying aspect is that we receive monthly bills to pay, and most times, the bills are not commensurate with the power supplied”.
The consistent complaints from residents highlight the impact of inadequate power supply on both personal and business activities.
The frustration is compounded by the monthly billing, leaving residents perplexed about paying for a service that falls significantly short of expectations.
As the backlash against EEDC grows, questions are raised about the reasons behind the deteriorating power supply and the company’s responsibility to provide consistent and reliable electricity services to the people of Imo State.