APPA Petitions Imo CP Over Alleged Unlawful Practices of TEDC
The Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA) has formally submitted a petition to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, requesting him to address the numerous unlawful practices of the Transpower Electricity Distribution Company (TEDC) within the state.
In the petition, Chief Princewill Okorie, the National President of APPA, enumerated several infractions committed by TEDC, including the operation without a valid license in Imo State, fraudulent consumer billing, and the continuation of bulk billing, which has been prohibited by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Chief Okorie emphasized that TEDC has violated Section 42(I)(d) of the Imo State Electricity Law 2024, which stipulates that no entity shall construct, own, or operate an undertaking, or generate, transmit, or distribute electricity in the state without being licensed by the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC).
Furthermore, he noted that TEDC has neglected to remit a fine of N679,560,000 imposed on it by the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission since 2024 for market power abuse.
Additionally, Chief Okorie pointed out that the company issues bills to unmetered consumers without adhering to estimated billing regulations, which require that transformers supplying electricity to unmetered customers must be equipped with meters to facilitate transparent meter readings. This practice is essential for accurately determining the amount of electricity supplied and the corresponding billing amount.
He expressed concern that the company continues to issue exorbitant bills to customers throughout the state.
Despite NERC’s prohibition of bulk billing, TEDC persists in this practice, issuing bulk bills to various communities.
Chief Okorie also reported that company personnel have recently been visiting communities with Point of Sale machines to coercively collect payments from consumers who have not received any electricity bills prior to this revenue collection initiative.
Chief Okorie asserted that such infractions can no longer be tolerated within the state.
He urged the Commissioner of Police to intervene promptly to prevent potential unrest stemming from the growing frustration of electricity consumers.
It is noteworthy that Transpower Electricity Distribution Company (TEDC) is a subsidiary of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
