The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) has sealed the offices of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Enugu State.
This action comes shortly after EEDC announced plans to disconnect power supply to the Enugu State Government House and other state government institutions in the South-east due to alleged unpaid debts amounting to N180 billion.
Emeka Ezeh, the spokesperson for EEDC, confirmed the sealing of their headquarters in a statement, noting that staff members were surprised to find the offices sealed upon their arrival on Tuesday morning.
“We were informed by the security men on duty that in the early hours of today (Tuesday) at about 1:53 a.m., a group of men came and locked up the gates, claiming that the state governor directed the action,” he said.
The spokesperson said, apart from the headquarters, their offices in Abakpa, Awkunanaw and Ogui areas were also sealed by the agency.
He said the development was “strange” given that there was no notice of any sort to the EEDC from the ECTDA.
According to him, “there has not been any clear information or communication from the ECDTA explaining their action.”
Mr Ezeh suspected that the sealing of EEDC’s offices might be connected to the notice issued by the company to commence disconnection of its indebted customers as from Tuesday.
“Enugu State Government happens to be one of the indebted customers with over N1 billion owed to EEDC. It is important to state that the majority of the state government’s facilities are metered. So, it is not a case of estimated billing,” he said.
“EEDC has about N180 billion as debt owed the company and has concluded plans to commence disconnection of indebted customers.”