?????????????
No fewer than 200 electricity consumers from Nluani-Ububa, Nkpor Community near Onitsha in Anambra, Tuesday, protested against alleged extortion by officials of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “EEDC: we need prepaid metre’’, “we say no to 419 power supply,” and “EEDC enough of this estimated billing.”
They also complained of epileptic power supply and exorbitant estimated billing by the EEDC officials.
The Chairman of the Community, Chief Gabriel Onyibalu, who handed over a copy of their protest letter to an official of EEDC, urged the electricity company to provide consumers with prepaid meters.
Onyibalu recalled that the community procured a 500-KVA transformer to serve nine streets, the state School of Nursing/Midwifery and Our Lady’s Industrial Estate, School and a Church in the area.
“In spite of this effort, electricity supply to the area is still epileptic.
“We shall not tolerate further intimidation, disconnection of power lines, estimated billing and incessant extortion of unauthorised money from consumers,’’ he said.
Reacting, the EEDC Network Manager, Mr Linus Amalam, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
Amalam explained that the 500-KVA transformer was over loaded and would require additional transformers to satisfy consumers’ electricity needs.
“We cannot bill you more than you consume because the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has asked us to bill according to supply.
“The form is there for you to apply for prepaid meters because those who applied have received theirs. l want to assure you of improved electricity supply,’’ he said.
He promised to look into the complaint of alleged extortion by some of the officials. (NAN)
Commentaires