Governor Charles Soludo, EEDC and Failure to Provide 24 Hour Electricity Supply in Anambra State

  Governor Charles Soludo, EEDC and Failure to Provide 24 Hour Electricity Supply in Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo's an...

 Governor Charles Soludo, EEDC and Failure to Provide 24 Hour Electricity Supply in Anambra State

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo's announcement on March 24, 2023, of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) was presented as a landmark achievement for Anambra State. In the post, Soludo described the event as "historic," emphasizing that it would ensure "power supply in the state is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week." He framed it as the "consummation of a marriage" after a year-long "courtship," underscoring its role in transforming Anambra into a "liveable and prosperous homeland" through industrialization and economic growth. Soludo called for collective effort to achieve "stable and continuous power supply," declaring that "Anambra will continue to win!"

However, as of August 31, 2025, over two and a half years later, this promise remains unfulfilled. Residents of Anambra State, or Ndi Anambra, continue to endure erratic and insufficient electricity supply, often limited to a few hours per day or none at all in many areas. This failure is not just a technical oversight but a profound betrayal of public trust, squandering resources, stifling economic potential, and exacerbating daily hardships for millions. Below, Family Writers Press International critically analyze the shortcomings of both Soludo's administration and EEDC, drawing on the original MoU announcement, subsequent developments, public reactions, and verifiable evidence of non performance.

1. Overhyped Promises Without Realistic Foundations: Soludo's Leadership Deficit Soludo, an economist and former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, positioned himself as a visionary leader capable of driving rapid industrialization. Yet, the MoU signing appears to have been more of a publicity stunt than a substantive plan. Key issues include Unrealistic Timeline and Scope. Soludo claimed the MoU would deliver 24/7 power "in the shortest period of time" for at least three to four major cities (e.g., Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi). However, reports from the signing ceremony itself revealed a more modest initial target, at least 18 hours of daily supply within 28 months, as stated by EEDC's the CEO, Emeka Offor. This discrepancy suggests Soludo either misrepresented the agreement for political gain or failed to scrutinize its feasibility. By 2025, even this scaled back goal has not been met, with many areas receiving power only once every three days, often at night.

Lack of Transparency and Accountability: The terms of the MoU have never been publicly disclosed in detail, despite demands from stakeholders like the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) in April 2023. ONICCIMA criticized the deal for lacking specifics on timelines, funding, and implications for businesses, calling it insufficiently detailed beyond "social media posts." Allegations persist of undisclosed financial commitments exceeding N100 billion from the state to EEDC, with no evidence of value for money. Soludo's administration has not released progress reports, audits, or metrics on power supply improvements, leaving Ndi Anambra in the dark literally and figuratively.

Policy Inertia Despite Enabling Laws: The 2023 constitutional amendment empowered states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, yet Soludo's government moved slowly. It was only in June 2025 that the Anambra State Executive Council approved the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) under the new Electricity Law. While this is a step forward, it came too late and has not translated into tangible gains. Meanwhile, neighboring Abia State, under Governor Alex Otti, achieved 48 hours of uninterrupted power in parts of Aba by early 2024 through partnerships like the Geometric Power initiative, highlighting Soludo's reluctance to pursue aggressive, multi-stakeholder solutions.

Economic and Social Impact Ignored: Soludo emphasized power as "critical" for industrialization, yet Anambra's manufacturing sector key to his vision of a "smart megacity" suffers from high operational costs due to reliance on expensive generators. A 2025 report noted that hundreds of transformers have been distributed to underserved communities, and local prepaid meter manufacturing has begun in Ozubulu, but these are piecemeal efforts. The metering gap remains massive, with EEDC estimating N37 billion needed for 500,000 meters in 2023 a figure unaddressed, leading to estimated billing that burdens low income households. Protests, such as the June 2025 demonstration by over 1,000 Enugwu Agidi residents against exploitative billing and poor supply, underscore the human cost, families paying N20,000 monthly for non-existent power.

Soludo's rhetoric of "Anambra will continue to win" rings hollow when contrasted with public frustration. Social media posts from 2024–2025, including viral videos questioning if the MoU was a "Memorandum of Misunderstanding," reflect widespread disillusionment. Critics, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in May 2024, accused the deal of being a "fraudulent arrangement" to siphon state funds without delivery.

Family Writers Press International.