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.
