By CHRISTIAN OGBONNA

A coalition of civil society organisations in Ebonyi on Saturday threatened to institute legal action against the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over alleged illegal billing practices and other activities it described as exploitative.

The coalition, led by the Human Rights Volunteer Corps (HRVC), Ebonyi Chapter, Prof. Joseph Agbo, made the declaration at a press conference in Abakaliki.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group also included the Human Rights Action Group, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Good Living Initiative (GLI), and the Victims of EEDC Overbilling, Ebonyi State (VEOBES).

Agbo alleged that the electricity consumers in the state had suffered years of overbilling, arbitrary disconnections and other irregularities.

The group leader said the coalition had resolved to seek judicial intervention after several petitions and mediation efforts failed to yield the desired results.

Agbo alleged that EEDC had consistently ignored complaints from consumers, despite petitions submitted to its Ebonyi District office, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice.

“We have decided to seek redress in the court of law because we believe the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.

“We will seek justice for victims of overbilling and other unjust treatments allegedly meted out to electricity consumers in Ebonyi,” he said.

He accused the electricity distribution company of estimated overbilling, illegal disconnections without due notice.

He also accused the company of the insertion of alleged unlawful arrears into prepayment meters, refusal to bill postpaid customers based on meter readings, and arbitrary electricity tariff practices.

Agbo further alleged that some EEDC staff and marketers collected electricity payments through Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals under questionable circumstances and claimed that consumers often received bills that differed from amounts reflected in the company’s records.

According to him, many consumers have also complained of being denied statements of account, making it difficult to verify their electricity charges.

He expressed concern over electricity band classifications in Ebonyi, alleging that many Band A feeders failed to receive the minimum 20 hours daily electricity supply prescribed under regulatory guidelines.

Agbo called on NERC headquarters to establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the operations of EEDC in Ebonyi and ensure appropriate compensation and refunds for affected consumers.

He appealed to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Gov. Francis Nwifuru to intervene in the matter in the interest of electricity consumers.

He commended the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice for initiating mediation efforts and issuing a pre-action notice on behalf of some affected consumers, but alleged that the process failed to produce meaningful resolutions.

Agbo urged residents to continue paying legitimate electricity bills while remaining vigilant and pursuing lawful means to challenge alleged exploitative practices.

He encouraged consumers to understand their rights under electricity regulations and to report cases of overbilling and other alleged irregularities through appropriate legal and regulatory channels.

Reacting, Mrs Patience Ezeagu, Head of Communications, Eastland Electricity Distribution Limited (EEDL), said they were committed to service excellence and operate strictly within the regulatory framework established by the NERC.

Ezeagu noted that EEDL, a subsidiary of the EEDC, was in charge of electricity distribution in Ebonyi.

“We are aware of the press conference and allegations raised by a certain group regarding our operations in the State.

“In our operations, we apply the NERC-approved billing methodology for all customers without prepaid or functional postpaid meters.

“Any grievances regarding billing should be channeled through our formal customer service platforms for immediate investigation and resolution.

“In line with quality service delivery, we have conducted extensive bill reconciliation exercises across our coverage areas over the past months.

“This proactive measure has resulted in the adjustment and offsetting of millions of Naira in billing discrepancies, ensuring our customers are billed accurately for services rendered,” Ezeagu stated. (NAN)

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