Home News House of Reps Directs EEDC to Reconnect Mbaise Community, Demands Reconciliation Over...

House of Reps Directs EEDC to Reconnect Mbaise Community, Demands Reconciliation Over Perennial Blockout, Extortion

23 views
0

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to reconnect the electricity of Ezeagbogu Community Mbaise, Silvernews.com.ng reports.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja at the end of the session chaired by the House Committee on Public Petitions led by Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, on the petition against EEDC and others on the issue of electricity in Mbaise.

 

The statement reads: “the first case of the hearing, was a petition by M. C. Chambers on behalf of Mbaise District in Imo State against Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Transmisson Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Honourable Minister of Power over abandonment of Aboh Mbaise transmission station, perennial blockout, extortion and the total neglect of Mbaise district and Ngor-Okpalla LGA in Imo State. (Second Summons).

“Both the petitioner and respondents were present at the hearing. Well-meaning sons of Mbaise, who include Chief Sir Steve Ihuoma, Chief Alex Eluwa, Rt. Hon. Mike Iheanetu (Akwaa-Akwuru Mbaise), Comrade CHILAGOROM Ifeanyi, Mr. Desmond Onwusiri, Sir. Godian Ihuoma, Barr. Sam Nwosu, and Hon. Attorney Matthew Nwogu (Member, respresenting Aboh Mbaise/Ngor-Okpalla Federal Constituency were present at the session.

“The Chairman, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba ordered TCN to furnish the Committee with names of the contractors handling the abandoned transmission station in Aboh Mbaise. According to him, the contractors need to explain to the Committee why the project has been abandoned. The Committee should also be told the amount spent so far on the project and the way forward.

“The Managing Director of EEDC, Mr. Praveen Chorghade complained to the Committee, that some Mbaise communities have not complied with clearing of their old bills. According to the Chairman, the Committee needs to have the input of the contractors handling the project. He thereby, ordered the contractors of the project to appear before the Committee for proper explanation.

“According to the petitioner, some Mbaise communities have not cleared the old electricity bill because the people are wrongly billed by EEDC. “How can the people pay for what they did not use through estimated bill? It is total extortion and a criminal act”, the petitioner stated.

“For example, Ezeagbogu community in Ezinihitte Mbaise has been disconnected for the past years. They have been wrongly over billed by EEDC. The petitioner also told the Committee that Obodo-Ujishi in Ahiazu Mbaise has provided new transformer. Yet, EEDC has failed to reconnect the community.

“The Chairman querried EEDC why Ezeagbogu community has been disconnected for the past years. The MD told the Committee that it is because the Community is owing. The Chairman asked EEDC to quickly reconcile with the people of Ezeagbogu within the next two weeks, and do well to reconnect the Community.

“The petitioner, Barr. Malachy Nwaekpe pleaded with the Committee to involve NERC in reconciling the Ezeagbogu community electricity issue, because the people have really been over charged through the estimated bill.

“The Chairman therefore, called for an official meeting with every community in Mbaise and Ngor-Okpalla that has been wrongly billed by EEDC. Others to be present at the meeting are NERC and EEDC. The meeting will be held in Owerri, Imo State on 30th April, 2024 for proper reconciliation. The Chairman asked EEDC to do well to reconnect Ezeagbogu community before the meeting.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here