By Francis Igata

ENUGU—The low power supply from Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, has elicited outcry from stakeholders in the South-East geo-political zone.

This is even as the University of Nigeria, UNN, closed its Enugu and Nsukka campuses for two weeks, owing to students’ protest over one month power outage in the ivory tower.

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Director General, Enugu State Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Agriculture and Industry, ECCIMA, Mr. Emeka Okereke, who was close to tears as he spoke to Vanguard, lamented that there had not been any significant improvement in power supply since the privatisation of power.

He said:  “The incessant power outage in the South-East region has affected beyond businesses to the standard of living. Most businesses have closed shops owing to power outage.

‘’The situation has led to disengagement of staff and recruitment of cheap labour which has impacted negatively on the overall output of companies.

“Our expectations were high when we learnt of privatisation.  But, apparently, the investors do not have the capability to turn around the sector. We have been moving round a vicious circle since the past 16 years.

‘’Now the problem has been attributed to vandalisation of pipelines supplying gas to the thermal stations.

“We cannot keep going in vicious circles. Since there has not been any improvement in power supply, we will have to revisit the concessioner. The confidence we reposed on then has waned.

“We do want excuses. The gas-to-power plant idea has not worked because of the distance to thermal plants and vandalism. The investors must be made to deliver quality service for the value of money paid.”

Similarly, a group, Enugu Unity Forum, EUF, led by Mr. Tahil Ochi, has charged the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to make good its promise of providing 40,000mw for the next four years.

Ochi said: “All efforts should be geared towards supporting Buhari to actualize the promise of yearly 5,000mw in power supply.”