By Edwin Nwachukwu

The residents of Umuana and other Communities in Ndume Ibeku area of Abia State have issued a distress call to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over the total blackout that has plunged the community into darkness since December 2025.

Despite being disconnected from the national grid for nearly two months, residents report that the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has continued to issue “exorbitant” estimated bills to residents.

This is a move community leaders have described as both insensitive and fraudulent, adding that the
prolonged power failure has triggered a humanitarian and economic ripple effect across the communities.

The residents said they are facing a severe water crisis due to their
electric boreholes being rendered useless because of lack of electricity supply.

They added that they are now forced to rely on expensive and often unsafe alternatives of water supply.

The residents pointed out that local entrepreneurs, including cold room operators, welders, and hair stylists have seen their livelihoods paralyzed, as the rising cost of petrol makes generator-dependent business unsustainable.

The EEDC makes electricity available at midnight when residents are fast asleep only to disconnect it before in few minutes in the morning.

The community members also expressed fears over the increased risk of crime facilitated by the perpetual darkness covering the streets at night.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Chief Nnamdi Ngele, a respected local leader, lamented the systemic neglect by the EEDC.

“Our people have suffered untold hardship since December 2025. Businesses are folding, and the lack of water is becoming a health crisis.

“The height of the irony is that while our transformers are cold and our houses are dark, EEDC officials still have the audacity to bring estimated bills. We are being asked to pay for darkness,” Chief Ngele said.

He, however, called for an immediate intervention to
restore power supply and urgently repair or replace any faulty infrastructure causing the blackout.

Chief Ngele urged the electricity company to stop estimated billing issuance for periods where no electricity was supplied.

The community leader noted that they are prepared to escalate this matter to the NERC Forum office and relevant consumer protection agencies if the EEDC fails to act within the coming days.

When contacted an official of EEDC, said he was not authorised to speak on the issues.

Enugu, Nigeria – The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) says it will embark on a massive disconnection of indebted electricity customers in South-East.

In a statement on Friday in Enugu, EEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh, advised customers to promptly pay their electricity bills before the disconnection team gets to their premises.

Ezeh noted that failure to pay the electricity bill would attract a reconnection fee in addition to the outstanding amount being owed.

“Customers can pay their bills at the EEDC Cash Offices or any collection agent location nearest to them, and they must not wait for the marketers to visit before they can pay their bills.

“It is expected that the current electricity bill, which is for energy consumed in the previous month, is paid by the 12th day of the succeeding month.

“Customers that have arrears should endeavour to clear their bills or take advantage of our ongoing discount scheme – ASAP.

“Pay your bills promptly and on time and save yourself the inconveniences of being disconnected or surcharged,” he said.

Ezeh said that EEDC could only sustain its operations and service to its esteemed customers when electricity bills are paid.

“EEDC is committed to serving you and wants you to help us serve you better,” he added.

Enugu, Nigeria – The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has pledged to render continuous excellent and innovative electricity services to its esteemed customers, especially residents of the South-East.

The acting Managing Director of EEDC, Dr. Ernest Mupwaya, gave the assurance in Enugu while declaring open the company’s Customer Service Week.

Mupwaya charged employees of the company to renew their commitment and determination to exceed customers’ expectations by providing courteous, timely and impactful services.

He said: “EEDC believes and strives for excellence and together, we will continue to power (provide) our people in the South-East and beyond with excellent, caring and innovative service always.”

Mupwaya said that the company had deployed advanced and cutting edge technologies to ensure improved and positive customer experience and seamless interface with them in real-time and speed.

“This is a significant moment for us to reflect on our journey, acknowledge our achievements and celebrate the critical role each of you plays in delivering exceptional service to our customers.

“The theme for this year’s Service week, “Above and Beyond”, could not be more fitting, as it captures both the essence of our transformation and our unwavering commitment to exceeding customer expectations.

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of every one of you.

“Together, we are not just delivering reliable power, we are providing an outstanding customer experience despite the many challenges we face,” he said.

The acting managing director, however, noted that the company had encountered obstacles, such as insufficient revenue and the constraints imposed by industry regulations.

He said, “I am proud to share that EEDC is making steady progress toward financial sustainability. Through business process re-engineering and innovative solutions, we are steadily increasing our revenue collections and reducing losses month after month.

“Our deployment of advanced ICT systems and the successful conversion of aluminum transformers to copper wound transformers, using reverse engineering, have introduced ground-breaking innovations with the potential for significant cost savings and improving customers’ positive experience.”

Speaking, Head, Customer Service, EEDC, Mrs Ijeoma Ogudebe, encouraged all staff to step outside their comfort zones in ensuring that excellent services are delivered to our customers.

Ogudebe said, “Going above and beyond requires empathy, resilience and courage.

“When we go above and beyond, the results are immeasurable and we build stronger relationships that create lasting impact that will leave a good taste in the mouth of our customers.

“Going above and beyond is not about what we do. It is about who we become and becoming the best version of ourselves.”

The Customer Service Week is an annual international event, held yearly in the first week of October.

It is put together to recognise the importance of customer service and the contributions of all frontline staff who support customers on a daily basis.

As a public service-based company – EEDC – is commemorating the week from Oct. 8 to Oct. 12 and it involves all staff, electricity stakeholders and customers (residents of South-East).

The theme is with a focus on “Going the extra mile for our customers and each other”.

By Goodness Ndukuba

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has explained the reason for the poor electricity supply in Awka and other parts of the Southeast served by the company.

Emeka Ezeh, the Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC made this known in a statement on Friday.

“EEDC wishes to inform her esteemed customers that the current state of power supply within its network which has resulted in a drop in supply availability is due to low power generation caused by gas constraints to the thermal generating companies.

“This development has resulted in low generation, leading to a reduction in the quantum of daily megawatt hour (MWH) of energy allocated to distribution companies nationwide.

“Consequently, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which is our primary source of power supply is constrained, as they only transmit what is generated and have resorted to System Load-shedding to forestall possible system collapse.

“This situation has equally impacted the quality of service to our customers, as we are contending with very low energy allocation wheeled to us by the TCN for distribution to our customers. A situation that has left us load-shedding available power to ensure it goes around.

“We seek the understanding of our esteemed customers on the fact that we can only distribute what is allocated to us, that this situation is beyond us, and that it is not peculiar to EEDC.

“It is hoped that the situation is addressed soon so that normal distribution will return. EEDC is committed to providing improved services to her esteemed customers,” Ezeh said.