The Anambra State Police Command has appealed to residents and advocacy groups planning a protest over persistent electricity outages across the state to pursue constructive engagement with the appropriate authorities rather than resorting to street demonstrations that could disrupt public order.
The planned protest, organised by members of the Electricity Consumers Rights Initiative and the Electricity Consumers Rights Network, is scheduled to hold on March 14 in Awka, the Anambra State capital. The demonstration, tagged “Enough Is Enough,” is expected to begin at Ekwueme Square, a prominent public location near the Government House.
Organisers say the protest is intended to draw attention to what they describe as the worsening electricity crisis affecting households and businesses in the state. According to them, the persistent power outages and controversial billing practices by electricity distribution companies have created severe hardship for consumers.
The protest leaders have formally informed relevant authorities of their plans. Notifications have been sent to the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, as well as to the state police command and the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a letter addressed to the governor, the convener of the protest, Osita Obi, explained that the demonstration is intended to highlight the growing frustration among electricity consumers in the state and to demand urgent intervention by government and regulatory authorities.
According to Obi, the protest aims to provide a platform for citizens to express their grievances regarding poor electricity supply and what they describe as exploitative billing practices by electricity distribution companies operating in the region.
The organisers have outlined several key demands that they believe must be addressed to resolve the electricity crisis affecting residents and businesses across Anambra State.
Among their primary demands is a significant improvement in electricity supply throughout the state. Many residents have complained that despite paying electricity bills regularly, they continue to experience prolonged outages that disrupt daily life and economic activities.
Another major demand is the immediate installation of prepaid electricity meters for consumers. Protest organisers argue that the absence of prepaid meters has forced many customers to rely on estimated billing systems, which they claim often lead to inflated charges.
The groups are also calling for the complete suspension of estimated billing, which they say has resulted in excessive charges being imposed on consumers regardless of their actual electricity usage.
In addition, the protest leaders are demanding a review or suspension of the current electricity band tariff system, which determines how electricity consumers are charged based on the level of power supply they receive.
The organisers further accuse electricity providers of engaging in overbilling, exploitation, and extortion of consumers.
Specifically, they raised concerns about the activities of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and First Power Limited, companies responsible for electricity distribution in parts of the state.
Despite the grievances expressed by consumers, the protest organisers have assured authorities that the demonstration will be conducted peacefully and in an orderly manner.
Obi emphasised that the protest is intended to remain nonviolent and respectful of public institutions. He said the organisers have taken steps to ensure that the demonstration will not interfere with other important events scheduled in the state.
In particular, the organisers clarified that the protest will not disrupt the swearing-in ceremony marking Governor Soludo’s second term, which is scheduled to take place on March 17.
According to Obi, the organisers deliberately scheduled the protest several days earlier to avoid any potential clash with the official ceremony or other state activities.
“The protest will be peaceful and orderly,” Obi said, adding that the organisers are committed to maintaining discipline among participants.
In response to the planned demonstration, the Anambra State Police Command has urged the organisers and concerned residents to consider engaging relevant authorities through dialogue and institutional channels rather than staging street protests.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson of the command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that while the concerns raised by electricity consumers are understandable, public protests could potentially disrupt the peace and normal activities of residents.
Ikenga revealed that representatives of the protest groups held a lengthy meeting with police officials on Monday to discuss the planned demonstration and the issues surrounding electricity supply in the state.
During the meeting, police authorities emphasised the importance of resolving disputes through lawful and constructive engagement with the appropriate institutions responsible for electricity regulation and service delivery.
“The command encourages concerned residents to pursue constructive engagement with the relevant authorities to address these issues rather than resort to street protests that may disrupt public order and the free flow of lawful activities,” Ikenga said.
The police spokesperson also acknowledged that the challenges being faced by electricity consumers are not unique to the protesters.
According to Ikenga, police officers living and working in Anambra State are also affected by the same electricity supply issues that have sparked public frustration.
“Police officers are also part of the resident population of Anambra State and are equally affected by the challenges faced by members of the public,” he said.
The statement noted that the police command recognises the legitimacy of citizens’ concerns regarding electricity supply and billing practices.
However, the command maintained that peaceful dialogue and engagement with regulatory bodies and service providers remain the most effective ways of resolving such disputes.
Ikenga further reiterated the commitment of the Anambra State Police Command to maintaining peace and ensuring the safety of all residents.
He assured the public that the police will continue to promote lawful engagement between citizens and government institutions while safeguarding public order across the state.
“The command reiterates its commitment to maintaining peace and public safety across the state,” he said.
Authorities also encouraged residents to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies to ensure that grievances are addressed without jeopardising security or public stability.
The planned protest reflects growing frustration among residents and businesses across Anambra State over the persistent electricity shortages that have affected the region in recent months.
Many small businesses rely heavily on electricity to operate, and frequent power outages have forced them to depend on expensive alternatives such as diesel or petrol generators.
Households have also complained about rising electricity bills despite the inconsistent supply of power.
Consumer advocacy groups argue that unless urgent reforms are implemented in the electricity distribution sector, the economic impact on residents could continue to worsen.
While tensions remain over the planned protest, stakeholders across the state have emphasised the need for sustainable solutions to the electricity crisis.
Energy experts say resolving the problem will require coordinated efforts between electricity distribution companies, regulatory authorities, and government institutions.
For now, the focus remains on whether dialogue between the concerned groups and authorities can produce tangible improvements in electricity supply and billing practices in Anambra State.
As the date of the protest approaches, both organisers and security agencies appear keen to ensure that any expression of public grievances takes place peacefully and without disruption to the state’s stability.
