States Condemn EEDC’s Power Cut in Enugu as Residents, Businesses Suffer Outages

Peter Uzoho

Nigeria’s 36 states through the Forum for Commissioners of Power and Energy in Nigeria (FOCPEN) yesterday condemned the ongoing power outages in Enugu State, which they attributable to a deliberate action by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC) to reduce power to the state’s electricity market.

The EEDC had based its decision on the recent tariff order issued to its subsidiary company, MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited, by the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), which reduced Band A electricity tariffs from N209/kwh to N160/kwh effective from August  1, 2025.

In a statement joined signed by its Chairman and Cross River State Commissioner for Power, Eka William and the Secretary and Benue State Commissioner for Power, OmaleOmale,

FOCPEN said it viewed the unilateral action by EEDC not merely as a regulatory dispute with the regulator, but as a declaration of war on the people of Enugu State by EEDC.

“FOCPEN wishes to state that EEDC’s reckless action is a grave violation of its license obligations under existing national electricity regulations. EEDC’s action is also a clear demonstration of the flawed privatization process that has empowered private investors of Discos to deprive citizens of essential electricity services with impunity.

“FOCPEN wishes to state unequivocally that if MainPower or EEDC believe the tariff as set by the regulator is inadequate, the appropriate and legal path is to seek a review through established regulatory processes. To resort to an arbitrary disconnection or reduction of power by up to 50 per cent to a state, smacks of blackmail by EEDC”, the commissioners said.

According to them, EEDC’s action also portends grave danger for consumer rights in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), and undermines the ongoing implementation of State Electricity Markets (SEM).

Furthermore, the commissioners claimed that the power cut in Enugu by EEDC exposes the alarming market power of Discos to hold electricity regulators at sub-national and at the federal level to ransom.

They posited that EEDC’s action sets a dangerous precedent for other Discos to undermine the successful implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 and decentralisation of electricity regulations.

The FOCPEN called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to immediately call EEDC to order.

The statement said NERC, as the current regulator of EEDC must investigate the matter thoroughly and sanction the unacceptable action by EEDC, which FOCPEN believes has no regulatory approval from NERC.

To prevent such reckless action by a distribution licensee from  happening again, FOCPEN demanded among others, ministerial intervention.

Specifically, FOCPEN called upon the Minister of Power, Chief BayoAdelabu, to immediately intervene and prevail upon NERC and EEDC to reverse the power cuts and restore electricity to the people of Enugu State.

As the chief policy maker for the sector, the forum argued that the minister must take decisive action to stop the lawlessness by Discos who can arbitrarily and without consequence deprive citizens of electricity.

It also called for regulatory reform of the wholesale market, advocating that NERC must develop appropriate regulations that would allow Subcos to enter into bilateral contracts with generation companies (Gencos) to procure wholesale power from the national grid.

The commissioners explained that such regulation may include a mandate for the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) to enter into direct or interim Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Subcos.

The commissioners argued that the current arrangement, where Subcos receive power through their HoldCos, was an anti-competitive practice that limits their operational autonomy within State Electricity Markets (SEMs) and creates a potential for abuse, as evidenced by the current crisis.

While recommending that NERC must sanction EEDC for its actions,  FOCPEN said the commission must prove that it has the teeth to regulate the NESI as the apex regulator and protect consumers from the tyranny of powerful successor Discos HoldCos that are currently its licensees.

“FOCPEN will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to take further action to ensure the rights of consumers within SEMs are protected. FOCPEN stands in solidarity with the people of Enugu State and calls on all relevant authorities to address this crisis with the urgency it deserves”, the forum added.