The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) is facing mounting legal challenges in Imo State following accusations of issuing excessive bills without providing prepaid meters for accurate consumption tracking. The NIMO Electricity Consumers Association, representing frustrated consumers, has filed a lawsuit against EEDC, alleging “crazy bills and outrageous charges.”
For years, consumers in Imo State have voiced concerns over what they consider exploitative billing practices by the EEDC. Despite repeated requests for prepaid meters, many consumers are still forced to rely on estimated billing, leaving them unable to monitor their actual electricity usage.
Tired of these perceived injustices, the NIMO Electricity Consumers Association took legal action, bringing the case before the Owerri High Court. The matter, currently under review by Justice Onuwa in Court 2, Room 11, was adjourned to a later date after its hearing on Tuesday.
Comrade Johnson Ariguzo, Chairman of the NIMO Electricity Consumers Association, stated that the lawsuit aims to address issues of unfair treatment and consumer exploitation by the EEDC. He expressed disappointment over the frequent issuance of inflated bills for services that, according to him, have not been properly delivered.
Ariguzo pointed out that repeated calls for the installation of prepaid meters have been ignored by the company, despite several meetings to resolve the matter. “EEDC’s failure to provide prepaid meters while continuing to issue outrageous charges left us with no choice but to take the matter to court,” he said.
This marks the second legal confrontation between the association and EEDC, with the first hearing dating back to July 2, 2024.
Adding to the criticism, the association’s Public Relations Officer, Engr. Chinedu Iwuagwu, and its Secretary, Chief Marcel Egeonu, condemned EEDC’s lack of responsiveness. They noted that multiple efforts to engage with the company through meetings in Orlu and Owerri had been ignored. Both emphasized the importance of providing consumers with prepaid meters, enabling them to pay only for the electricity they use.
In a recent development, the court ordered EEDC to pay a fine of 30,000 naira for its delayed response to a letter from the association. The case has been adjourned to November 5, 2024, for further proceedings.
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