The South East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has called on governors in the South-East to urgently prioritise electricity generation, warning that the region’s industrial ambitions will remain unattainable without stable power supply.
Speaking in Enugu on Friday, SEECA Coordinator, Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, said the persistent electricity shortages across the zone — largely linked to generation challenges on the national grid — have inflicted heavy economic losses on consumers and businesses.
He estimated that the region has suffered losses exceeding ₦28 billion within three months due to unstable electricity supply.
Dr. Okafor described the situation as dire, particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises that depend on consistent power to survive.
“Electricity is the backbone of every modern economy. When power is unstable, industries suffer, jobs are lost, and people remain poor. In the South East today, small businesses are closing daily because they cannot afford generators and diesel. Our people are paying for darkness with their sweat and savings. You cannot blame the DisCos alone when they receive very little power to share. If government invests in power generation within the zone, factories will return, artisans will work better, and young people will find jobs. Stable electricity will reduce poverty faster than any policy statement,” he said.
According to him, the power crisis worsened during the yuletide season — a peak period for commercial activities — leaving many businesses unable to maximise expected earnings.
Okafor urged residents to understand the complexities of Nigeria’s electricity value chain, arguing that distribution companies (DisCos) should not bear the brunt of public frustration.
He noted that the South-East currently receives only about seven per cent of the total electricity generated nationwide, placing the region at a structural disadvantage.
“You cannot blame the DisCos alone when they receive very little power to share,” he reiterated.
The SEECA coordinator also questioned why state governments in the zone continue to focus more on electricity distribution initiatives rather than investing directly in power generation.
He described the approach as “anti-people and anti-progress,” arguing that expanding distribution without increasing generation merely spreads scarcity.
According to him, the South-East possesses sufficient human capital, gas resources, and private sector interest to support independent power projects — provided there is clear governmental commitment.
“Investing in independent power plants would reduce dependence on the national grid, boost industrial growth, and place the region on a sustainable path to economic self-reliance,” he added.
SEECA maintained that without decisive intervention in generation infrastructure, the South-East risks prolonged economic stagnation and deepening hardship for its residents.
