Power Dispute Erupts Between EEDC and Imo State Government
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has firmly denied allegations made by the Imo State Government that it plans to instigate a massive power outage across the state. The electricity distributor has labeled the claims as baseless propaganda and reaffirmed its commitment to improving service for its customers.
Imo Government's Allegations of Sabotage
The controversy began when the Imo State Government, through a statement from the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, accused the EEDC of planning a widespread electricity blackout. The government alleged this was a deliberate attempt to sabotage its own Light Up Imo project, an initiative designed to provide uninterrupted power supply to all parts of the state.
EEDC's Forceful Rebuttal and Counter-Allegations
Responding on Sunday, the Head of Communications for EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, categorically dismissed the accusations. He described them as "baseless, unfounded, and completely devoid of truth." Ezeh advised the public in Imo State to disregard the claims entirely, assuring them that EEDC has no intention of carrying out any major power outages.
Ezeh suggested that the state government was using propaganda to divert public attention from what he termed its "longstanding hostility" towards EEDC. He urged the government to instead provide an enabling environment for licensed operators to function effectively.
In a significant counter-allegation, Ezeh recalled an incident from Saturday, 15 November 2025. He stated that armed policemen, allegedly acting on instructions from the Imo State Government, stormed the Egbu Station of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The operatives reportedly forced the duty operator, at gunpoint, to shut down all feeders. "This action plunged customers into total darkness. What greater act of sabotage could there be?" Ezeh questioned. He pointed to this event as the real cause of a recent blackout and warned customers to note who is responsible for any future outages.
Broader Implications for Power Supply in Imo
This public spat highlights the ongoing tensions between the state government and the private power distributor. While EEDC insists it continues to make significant investments to improve supply reliability, the Imo government is pushing forward with its own competing project. The situation leaves residents caught in the middle, uncertain about the stability of their electricity supply and who to hold accountable for disruptions. EEDC's final statement places the responsibility for any service failures squarely on the actions of the state government.
