Aggrieved electricity users in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, under the aegis of Aba Consumers Forum on Wednesday protested against the recent increment in electricity tariff by the indigenous power company in charge of the Aba ring-fenced area, Aba Power Limited.

The protesters, made up of traders, artisans, retirees, and civil servants living in Aba were protesting to draw the attention of the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti to their plight, urging him to intervene to ameliorate their plight.

The leader of the protesters, Godson Osuagwu, expressed their anger over the new tariff regime, which he said was hurting their lives, businesses, and families.

He accused Aba Power Limited of increasing their tariff without considering the negative effect of their decision on the lives of their customers.

Osuagwu described the situation as a direct attack on the livelihood of Aba residents, particularly given the poor and inconsistent power supply.

?The most unfortunate is the latest increment that pushed our bills to ?80,000, ?90,000, and even ?105,000 in some areas.

?How can a civil servant earning less than ?70,000 afford a bill of ?103,000? Aba Power generates, distributes, and sells electricity, so why should their charges be this high?? Osoagwu asked.

The protesters also decried the lack of prepaid meters, accusing Aba Power of deliberately keeping consumers on estimated billing to exploit them.

?We have requested prepaid meters, but they have refused to provide them.

?The few people who have them say their credit vanishes within days. How can ?40,000 worth of electricity units finish so quickly?? one protester lamented.

It was gathered that the high cost of electricity is crippling businesses, with many manufacturers, shoemakers, and artisans in Aba, struggling to keep their operations running.

According to the protesters some cases, products manufactured in Aba cost more than those imported from other states, simply because of high electricity costs.

Anselm Chinedu, another protester, called on Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to intervene.

?The governor promised that Abians will breathe fresh air, but is this the fresh air he meant?

?We know he is working hard, but if Aba Power is allowed to continue this way, all his good work will be in vain,? he warned.

Though the protesters remained peaceful while it lasted, they however lamented their frustrations at the exorbitant electricity bill.

Many of the protesters who came with copies of their January electricity bills demanded that Aba Power withdraw its services completely if the tariffs remain unchanged.

?If they cannot give us fair billing, let them take their light! We would rather live in darkness than be forced to pay these crazy bills,? a protester declared.

The protesters vowed to continue their peaceful demonstrations until their voices were heard and their demands met. (The Nation)