Electricity consumers in the Southeast region, under the aegis of the South East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA), have threatened to embark on a one-month warning strike if electricity distribution companies fail to provide prepaid meters to all their customers in the zone.
They have, therefore, set June 15, 2024, for the commencement of the strike if their demand is not met.
The customers stated that they are concerned about the distribution companies’ practice of issuing high and outrageous estimated bills.
The group made this decision at the SEECA Consultative Assembly, SCA Summit held in Enugu, expressing frustration over both epileptic power supply and estimated billing.
“The warning strike shall commence on the 15th day of June 2024 and end at midnight on July 14, 2024.
“This unavoidable step is a prelude to more drastic action if South East Electricity Consumers are not individually metered with prepaid metres,” they said.
Explaining how the warning strike would be embarked upon, the National Chairman of SEECA, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha said that all the Consumers on estimated billing would stop paying the distribution companies while the warning strike lasts.
“Consumers will stop payment on estimated bills until the needful is done.
“We are saying, meter every consumer or we embark on strike. No prepaid meters, no payment,” he declared.
Also speaking, SEECA chairman, Enugu State chapter, Mrs Dorathy Oleka, explained that the electricity distribution companies do not have the powers to disconnect their customers without giving at least 10 days notice and another 2 working days before disconnection will take place.
Oleka, a lawyer added that even after disconnecting a customer, the Discos do not have right to take away wires and cables they disconnected, adding however that disconnected consumers should not reconnect illegally when disconnected.
