Gladness Gideon
Hundreds of residents of Iyiowa Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State took to the streets this week in protest against what they described as “outrageous and exploitative” electricity bills from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), with charges now reportedly exceeding Nigeria’s new minimum wage of ₦70,000.
Clutching placards with messages like “₦80,000 monthly electricity bill is unaffordable,” and “Stop the overbilling now,” the protesters decried monthly electricity bills ranging from ₦80,000 to ₦130,000—amounts they say many households simply cannot afford. They noted that even customers with prepaid meters have been affected, raising serious concerns about EEDC’s billing and disconnection practices.
According to the Chairman of the Iyiowa Odekpe Landlords and Tenants Association, Chief Sunday Obinze, the situation has become unbearable.
“How can civil servants earning ₦70,000 survive when electricity bills alone take up more than their entire income?” he asked. “Bills used to be around ₦18,000 to ₦28,000. This sudden hike is unjust and unacceptable.”
Obinze also referenced guidelines from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which he said cap estimated billing for their area at approximately ₦31,000.
“We are not refusing to pay—what we demand is fairness,” he emphasized.
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The community was further incensed after EEDC reportedly disconnected power supply to the entire area, including homes with functioning prepaid meters. Dr. Okolie Chukwunonso, secretary of the residents’ association, condemned the action, stating: “Over 80% of residents here use prepaid meters. It’s unjustifiable to punish everyone due to billing disputes.”
Residents are now demanding:
Cancellation of inflated electricity arrears
Distribution of prepaid meters to all households
Restoration of power to the community
Regulatory action against overbilling
They are also calling on the Federal Government and NERC to step in swiftly to prevent further hardship.
“We are being treated like we have no rights,” one protester said. “We want light, not a fight—but we won’t be silent anymore.”
As frustrations boil over, the Iyiowa Odekpe community becomes the latest flashpoint in Nigeria’s ongoing energy affordability crisis, highlighting the urgent need for reform in power distribution practices across the country.