The leadership of the South East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has called on South East governors to prioritise electricity generation, describing it as the fastest route to achieving the industrial revolution the zone seeks.
The Coordinator of SEECA, Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, made this known on Friday in Enugu during a chat with newsmen while addressing the persistent electricity shortages that have affected the South East in recent months, largely due to power generation challenges on the national grid.
He stated that ,the situation has caused severe hardship for electricity consumers in the zone, leading to losses estimated at over ₦28 billion within three months.
According to him, the epileptic power supply has crippled many businesses, especially during the yuletide period when commercial activities usually peak.
Dr. Okafor posited that, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the zone should not be entirely blamed, stressing that the electricity value chain is complex and that DisCos cannot distribute power they do not receive.
He added that the South East is already disadvantaged in power distribution, as the zone receives only about seven per cent of the total electricity generated in the country.
“Electricity is the backbone of every modern economy. When power is unstable, industries suffer, jobs are lost, and people remain poor. In the South East today, small businesses are closing daily because they cannot afford generators and diesel. Our people are paying for darkness with their sweat and savings. You cannot blame the DisCos alone when they receive very little power to share. If government invests in power generation within the zone, factories will return, artisans will work better, and young people will find jobs. Stable electricity will reduce poverty faster than any policy statement.”
The university don also questioned why South East governors continue to concentrate more on electricity distribution rather than generation, describing the approach as anti-people and anti-progress.
He argued that focusing on distribution without sufficient generation only spreads scarcity and deepens frustration among consumers.
According to him, the South East has enough human capital, gas resources, and private investors willing to partner in power generation projects if governments show commitment.”
” investing in independent power plants would reduce dependence on the national grid, boost industrial growth, and place the region on a sustainable path to economic self-reliance.”
