Igbo group mobilises protesters against EEDC in South East

Pro-unity social service group, Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), yesterday mobilised electricity consumers in the South East to protest “unwholesome activities” of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

In Awka, Anambra State capital, where the group carried out its mobilisation tagged ‘Massive Protests in South East against EEDC’, the protesters, who had gathered at Ekwueme Square, marched through Awka/Onitsha Expressway through Ifite Road’Nkwo Market Amaenyi before emerging at the old Awka/Onitsha highway.

The protesters carried placards some of which read “EEDC, No Estimated Billing”, “EEDC, No To Change of Meter”, “EEDC, We Say No To Illegal Disconnection” and “No Estimated Billing In the North.”

They were led by NUF president, Cletus Obinwanne, accompanied by comedian, Aiza Nwosu, and traditional ruler of non-indigenes in Anambra, Chief Amos Nkwuda, and the pastor, Riches of Christ International Gospel Centre, JohnPaul Iloduba, among others.

At the state head headquarters of EEDC, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO), Sir Tony Obi, spoke through the operations manager who received a copy of demand letter from the protesters.

The CLO called on the protesters to sheathe their swords and give the company time to look into the petition.After presenting the letter, Obinwanne described the march as a protest against injustices and illegalities of officers and men of EEDC.

He pointed out that the protest was in condemnation of unlawful dismantling of working meters, which the company wanted to replace by connecting consumers directly to the line.

According to him, the march generated the expected publicity.“We targeted people across and they shut down their businesses and joined us to march in protest to EEDC office, Awka.“If the EEDC is not forthcoming with response, we are battle-ready legally to take the matter to any level they would not expect,” Obinwanne added.