Electricity consumers in the South East, under the umbrella of the South East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA), have appealed to the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) to urgently resolve its ongoing tariff dispute with Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited (MPDL), warning that the impasse has thrown several parts of Enugu into prolonged darkness and economic uncertainty.
In a detailed position paper submitted to the EERC and signed by its Coordinator, Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, SEECA expressed deep concern over the lingering standoff stemming from the July 18, 2025 Tariff Order, describing it as detrimental to consumers, businesses, and the state’s power stability.
“The ongoing dispute over the July 18, 2025 tariff order has thrown many communities into darkness and deepened confusion in the electricity supply chain,” Dr. Okafor stated. “Such a sensitive matter affecting the lives of millions of residents should not be allowed to linger.”
The group emphasized that Enugu, being historically significant as the capital of the defunct Eastern Region and later the East Central State, deserves a peaceful and stable electricity supply that does not exploit either consumers or investors.
“Enugu is the pride of the South East, the de facto capital of Igbo land. It has been a regional and state capital for decades. Such an important city requires uninterrupted and fair power supply, not policy confusion and tariff disputes,” SEECA noted.
According to the association, its study of the dispute revealed that both EERC and MPDL have taken entrenched positions that have stalled progress.
Dr. Okafor explained that the disagreement centers on data usage, technical losses, operational expenses, and capital expenditure recognition, which he described as “highly technical matters requiring neutral and professional intervention.”
SEECA’s letter revealed that MPDL had petitioned EERC over the tariff order, arguing that the new Band A tariff of ₦160/kWh would result in losses exceeding ₦1.3 billion in just the first month, while the regulator insisted that its figures were based on the company’s own submissions.
“The law of fairness demands that both sides be heard and that technical disagreements be resolved by neutral experts,” SEECA maintained.
The group further lamented that since the dispute began, power supply in many parts of Enugu had dropped drastically, leaving households and businesses in darkness.
In its recommendations, SEECA called on the EERC to suspend implementation of the disputed tariff order until all concerns are fully addressed. It also urged the commission to appoint an independent and technically competent third party to review the contested data and mediate between the parties.
“Recognizing that the issues are highly technical, EERC and MPDL should allow an independent third party to examine the data and arrive at a conclusion that ensures fairness and transparency,” the group advised.
SEECA also demanded that provision for meter installation be included in the tariff framework to ensure all unmetered customers in Enugu State are captured and billed fairly.
“We call for special attention to the metering of all customers in Enugu State. The capital expenditure for metering should be integrated into the tariff to guarantee timely deployment and eliminate estimated billing,” Dr. Okafor said.
The association cautioned that the continued standoff between the regulator and the electricity company is hurting consumers, likening the situation to “a fight between two elephants where the grass suffers.”
“In this instance, the grasses are the electricity consumers of the South East,” SEECA lamented.
Concluding, Dr. Okafor reiterated SEECA’s commitment to protecting consumers’ rights while ensuring that electricity supply in the region remains both sustainable and investor-friendly.
“Governance in the power sector must always balance consumer protection with investor viability. Only through fairness, dialogue, and compassion can we achieve a sustainable electricity market in Enugu State and the South East,” he said.
