Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) says it will distribute Prepaid Metres, free of charge to all its customers in Nsukka, starting from first quarter of 2021.
Mr Abuchi Mekowulu, EEDC Network Manager of Nsukka District, disclosed this in Nsukka on Friday, while addressing some residents of Nsukka town who protested high monthly estimated bills.
Mekowulu said EEDC collaboration with the Federal Government would make it possible for all customers to get prepaid metres in 2021 starting from first quarter.
“EEDC is optimistic that before the end of 2021, all customers will get the prepaid metres for free.
” With prepaid metre, the complain of high monthly estimated bills will be over,” he said.
The network manager explained that the increase in monthly bills was as a result of nearly 24 hours electricity supply by EEDC in Nsukka town and environs for the past five months.
“I am happy you have acknowledged that you now enjoy electricity supply between 18 and 20 hours daily.
Speaking, the spokesman of the protesters, Mr Titus Onyishi, said they were in EEDC office to complain over the monthly outrageous estimated bills given to residents.
“Three months ago, EEDC gave us monthly N5,000 and we paid because there was improvement in power supply.
“But surprisingly last month, some were given N25,000, N20,000, N15,000 as monthly estimated bills.
“We are here to see how to resolve this issue with EEDC,” he said.
Mr Cosmas Ugwueze, Chairman, Nsukka Local Government Area, who rushed down to the EEDC’s office to ensure that the protest did not turn violent, applauded the protesters for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner,
He however, urged the EEDC to keep to their promise of supplying free prepaid meters to the customers in Nsukka come first quarter of 2021.
Meanwhile, Mr Emeka Ezeh, Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC South East, explained that increase in bills was as a result of implementation of the revised Service Reflective Tariff (SRT) since November 1, 2020 as approved by the federal government.
“The group that came on protest today are on Band A and they, being served by our “Township Feeder” with a daily minimum guaranteed availability of 20 hours supply,” he said.
Eze advised customers to always use energy saving bulbs instead of filament bulbs, as well as turn off appliances and bulbs when they were not in use in order not to waste energy.
“We are working at improving the service quality of our customers. We expect them to reciprocate this effort by paying their bills as that is the only way we can sustain the system.
“EEDC appreciates the peaceful way the customers conducted themselves,” he said.
He urged customers to use EEDC available customer complaint channels to lodge their complains so it would be looked into.
