“Unaffordable and Inhuman”: Anambra Community Protest Rising Electricity Bills, Demand Urgent Government Action

 

The usually quiet streets of Iyiowa Odekpe, a densely populated area in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, were filled with chants of frustration and signs of resistance as residents took to the streets to protest what they describe as “unbearable and exploitative” electricity bills from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

Clutching handmade placards and united in voice, the aggrieved community members expressed their outrage over electricity bills that now, according to them, surpass the recently approved national minimum wage of ₦70,000. They claim many households in the area receive monthly bills ranging between ₦80,000 and ₦130,000, a figure they argue is not only outrageous but unsustainable in the current economic climate.

Placards bearing phrases such as “N80,000 monthly electricity bill is unaffordable”, “Over 80% of those disconnected have prepaid meters”, and “There is a monthly cap from NERC” dominated the protest scene. Community members allege that despite having prepaid meters, many are still being subjected to estimated billing practices, while those without meters face arbitrary charges that far exceed their actual usage.

Chief Sunday Obinze, Chairman of the Iyiowa Odekpe Landlords and Tenants Association, condemned the actions of EEDC and described the situation as a deliberate attempt to exploit hardworking citizens. He stated that most residents in the area are civil servants, traders, and small business owners, whose monthly incomes cannot accommodate such astronomical charges.

“Electricity bills used to be between ₦18,000 and ₦28,000 for most households. Today, we are receiving bills as high as ₦130,000. This is not just a hike; it is economic punishment. How does a civil servant earning ₦70,000 survive after paying a bill of ₦100,000?” Obinze asked.

Tensions escalated when EEDC officials reportedly disconnected power supply to the entire community, a move residents say was both collective punishment and a tactic to silence growing dissent. What further incensed the residents was the revelation that over 80% of those affected had prepaid meters — a fact that raises critical questions about EEDC’s billing and disconnection practices.

Dr. Okolie Chukwunonso, Secretary of the association, said several letters and attempts to initiate dialogue with EEDC were met with silence. Rather than address the concerns raised, the company allegedly chose to disconnect the entire area, plunging thousands into darkness.

“It is unjustifiable and illegal to disconnect an entire area, especially when most of the consumers are using prepaid meters and have not defaulted. This is an abuse of power and a clear violation of consumer rights,” Chukwunonso said.

At the heart of the protest is the issue of compliance with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) billing cap. According to Chief Obinze, the regulatory body has placed a cap on estimated billing for unmetered customers in the area at approximately ₦31,000. Residents say they are willing to pay up to this amount if necessary, but will no longer tolerate figures that defy regulation and logic.

The protest marks a turning point in the community’s long-standing frustration with EEDC. Many residents described years of inconsistency in billing, poor customer service, and lack of access to functional prepaid meters. For a community striving to remain productive amidst national economic challenges, the recent developments are a breaking point.

As part of their demands, the Iyiowa Odekpe community is calling for the immediate cancellation of all inflated arrears, the restoration of electricity supply, and the provision of prepaid meters to every household yet to be metered. They are also appealing to both the federal government and NERC to intervene, not just as regulators, but as protectors of citizens' rights.

Their demands, however, do not stop at local grievances. Protesters are now calling for the unbundling of EEDC, suggesting that the company’s monopoly and perceived lack of accountability have enabled it to operate with impunity.

“This is bigger than just Iyiowa Odekpe,” said Chukwunonso. “We are speaking for hundreds of communities facing the same injustice. The electricity sector must be reformed, and EEDC should not be allowed to continue exploiting the people unchecked.”

The protest, which drew the attention of local media and rights groups, remained peaceful but determined. As residents await a response from EEDC and regulatory authorities, they have vowed to continue their advocacy until justice is served.

Observers believe this uprising could set a precedent for similar actions in other parts of the South-East where consumers face comparable electricity challenges. What remains to be seen is whether the authorities will act swiftly to address the community’s concerns — or whether this grassroots movement will grow into a larger call for reform in Nigeria’s power sector.