… Settles For 11Hours Electricity Per Day
The stand-off between Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and consumers over poor electricity supply, over billing and non availability of prepaid meters in Okene has been resolved at the instance of the Executive Chairman of the Council, Engr. Abdulrazaq Muhammad.
The electricity consumers had accused the distribution company of breach of their initial agreement of 12hours electricity supply, replacement of obsolete equipments, extortion through the estimated billing system, break in communication and insensitivity of the company to the plight of the customers.
The Chairman of electricity consumer relation in Okene, Mr Ahmed Momohjimoh made the allegations during a joint stakeholders meeting at the council secretariat in Okene. He further explain the hardship faced by customers since the breach of agreement that lead to loss of economic opportunities due to epileptic power supply within the commercial areas of the town.
However, the electricity company in their defence through the Regional Manager, Mr Yahaya Muhammed Gere commended the Chairman of Okene Local Government for his untiring efforts towards a peaceful resolution of challenges facing both the consumers and the distribution company. He took time to explain reasons behind the unavailability of prepaid meters, increase in electricity tariff and their inability to provide 24hours electricity supply.
According to him, prepaid meters, electricity bills and supply to any area are determined by the Federal Government through National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) and of course the capacity of the customers to pay. Therefore, AEDC has no power to either reduce or increase these arrangements. Okene Local Government fall under band D which can only get between 8-11hours of electricity supply per day.
Equipments are own and maintain by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), hence, the distribution company had written severally to prevailed on TCN to replace them which he also acknowledged the efforts of TCN so far. He said, repair work are ongoing in several of their sub-stations to upgrade the transmission equipments.
While thanking the consumers for their understanding, the Executive Chairman of Okene Local Government, Engr. Abdulrazaq Muhammad requested the company to re-engage the customers through the community representatives on fresh agreements that will stand the taste of time.
After exhaustive deliberations, AEDC agreed to give the maximum 11hours supply to Okene town, review bills that are charged without corresponding power supply and adequate maintenance of transformers while consumers also agreed to resume payment of electricity bills.
Abdulmumin Abubakar
Special Adviser to the Chairman
(Media & Publicity)
25th February, 2021