Anambra Electricity Consumers Plan Statewide Protest Over Power Outages

Electricity consumers in Anambra State have announced plans to stage a statewide protest over what they describe as persistent and inadequate power supply across the state.

The protest, organized by the Electricity Consumers Rights Initiative and the Electricity Consumers Rights Network, is scheduled for March 14 and will begin at Ekwueme Square in Awka, near the Government House.

Organizers said relevant authorities have been formally notified, including Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the state Police Command, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a letter addressed to the governor, the convener of the protest, Comrade Osita Obi, said the demonstration is intended to draw attention to the challenges faced by electricity consumers in the state and to demand urgent intervention.

The group is calling for improved electricity supply across Anambra, the immediate installation of prepaid meters, and an end to estimated billing. It also demanded the suspension of the electricity band tariff system and called for an end to what it described as over-billing, exploitation, and extortion by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and First Power Limited.

Obi said the protest would be peaceful and orderly. He added that the timing of the demonstration was chosen to avoid interference with the swearing-in ceremony marking Governor Soludo’s second term, scheduled for March 17.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has urged the organisers to consider dialogue with electricity authorities rather than proceed with the planned protest.

During a meeting at the Police Headquarters in Awka on Monday, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Ibrahim Ezekiel, acknowledged the concerns raised by the groups but advised them to use established channels to address their grievances.

Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the command remains committed to maintaining public order while encouraging peaceful engagement between citizens and the relevant authorities.