The Forum for Commissioners of Power and Energy in Nigeria (FOCPEN) has condemned the power reduction to Enugu residents by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC), stating that it is a demonstration of the flawed privatisation process.
The EEDC had reduced electricity supplied to Enugu State market, following the recent tariff order issued to its subsidiary company, MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited by the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission which reduced Band A electricity tariffs from N209/kwh to N160/kwh effective from August 1st, 2025.
The Forum, in a statement signed by Prince Eka Williams, Chairman and Commissioner of Power and Renewable Energy, Cross River State, said power reduction in the State is a clear demonstration of the flawed privatisation process that had empowered private investors of DisCos to deprive citizens of essential electricity services with impunity.
“FOCPEN views this unilateral action by EEDC not merely as a regulatory dispute with the regulator, but as a declaration of war on the good people of Enugu State by EEDC. FOCPEN wishes to state that EEDC’s reckless action is a grave violation of its license obligations under existing national electricity regulations.
“EEDC’s action is also a clear demonstration of the flawed privatisation process that has empowered private investors of DisCos to deprive citizens of essential electricity services with impunity.
“FOCPEN wishes to state unequivocally that if MainPower or EEDC believe the tariff as set by the Regulator is inadequate, the appropriate and legal path is to seek a review through established regulatory processes. To resort to an arbitrary disconnection or reduction of power by up to 50 percent to a State, smacks of blackmail by EEDC,” the Forum said in a statement issued to journalists on Wednesday.
The Forum also decried that the EEDC’s action sets a dangerous precedent for other DisCos to undermine the successful implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 and decentralisation of electricity regulations.
“Furthermore, it exposes the alarming market power of DisCos to hold electricity regulators at sub-national and at the federal level, to ransom. EEDC’s action sets a dangerous precedent for other DisCos to undermine the successful implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 and decentralisation of electricity regulations.
To prevent future occurrence, the Forum has stressed on the need for ministerial intervention, to reverse the power cuts and restore electricity to the people of Enugu State.
It noted that the current arrangement, where subsidiary companies receive power through their Holding Companies is an anti-competitive practice that limits their operational autonomy and creates a potential for abuse.
“As the chief policy maker for the sector, the Minister must take decisive action to stop the lawlessness by DisCos who can arbitrarily and without consequence deprive citizens of electricity.
“NERC must develop appropriate regulations that would allow SubCos enter into bilateral contracts with GenCos to procure wholesale power from the national grid. Such regulation may include a mandate for NBET to enter into direct or interim Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with SubCos.
“NERC must sanction EEDC for its actions. The Commission must prove that it has the teeth to regulate the NESI as the apex regulator and protect consumers from the tyranny of powerful Successor DisCos HoldCos that are currently its licensees,” it stated.
