Residents of Aba, under the Aba Consumers Forum, turned out in large numbers to protest what they described as an astronomical and unbearable increase in electricity tariffs by Aba Power Ltd.
The protesters, made up of traders, artisans, retirees, and civil servants, stormed the premises of Enyimba TV and Radio Limited, seeking to make their grievances public and call for government intervention.
Leading the protest, Godson Ikechukwu Osuagwu stated that the electricity company had increased bills by nearly 500% in just four years, leaving many residents unable to cope.
He described the situation as a direct attack on the livelihoods 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.
Beyond individual households, the high cost of electricity is crippling businesses, with many manufacturers, shoemakers, and artisans struggling to keep their operations running.
Protesters pointed out that in 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.
The protest remained peaceful, but the frustration among residents was evident. Many carried copies of their electricity bills to show proof of what they called “daylight extortion.”
Some residents went as far as demanding 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 are heard and their demands met.
