The Anambra State Police Command has held a lengthy meeting with organisers of a planned protest over persistent electricity outages and alleged overestimated billing in the state.
The meeting, which took place on Monday at the Police Command headquarters in Awka, was convened following plans by residents to stage a protest tagged “Enough Is Enough” to draw attention to ongoing power supply challenges and billing disputes.
According to statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, during the engagement, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Ibrahim Ezekiel, acknowledged the grievances raised by the organisers regarding electricity supply and billing practices.
According to the DCP, while the concerns were legitimate, it was important for affected residents to explore constructive engagement with the appropriate authorities rather than resorting to protests that could disrupt public order.
“He urged the organisers to adopt constructive dialogue and engagement with the relevant authorities responsible for electricity regulation and distribution, rather than resorting to street protests that may disrupt public order,” the command said.
The police also stressed the need for aggrieved groups to pursue peaceful and lawful channels in seeking redress for issues affecting residents.
“The Command emphasised the importance of peaceful and lawful channels in addressing grievances and encouraged stakeholders to pursue institutional means of resolving the issues affecting residents,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining peace in the state, the police assured residents that it would continue to support constructive engagement between citizens and the appropriate authorities responsible for addressing the electricity concerns.
“The Anambra State Police Command reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order while promoting peaceful engagement between citizens and relevant authorities,” the statement noted.
