NewsAkwa Ibom Group Calls For End To Estimated Billing In Nigeria

Akwa Ibom Group Calls For End To Estimated Billing In Nigeria

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September 18, (THEWILL) – An apex socio-cultural organisation in Akwa Ibom state, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, has called for an end to the estimated billing of electricity consumers in the country.

The stand of the organisation was contained in a communiqué, issued after the September 22 meeting of the group, held at its international headquarters, Sir Udo Udoma House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The communiqué was signed by Akparawa James Edet, International President and Akparawa (Elder) Bassey Bassey, Secretary General.

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The meeting which was presided over by the 11th International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa James Edet, was attended by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Power and Petroleum, Akparawa John James Etim, who was invited to address the Mboho’s Parliament on the activities of his Ministry and also highlight the significant milestones of the State government in the Power and Petroleum sector.

The group demanded that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) significantly improve upon its rather poor services to its customers in the State.

The communiqué frowned at a situation where individuals or communities in the State purchase and install transformers, electricity poles and cables on their expense, only for PHEDC to later take ownership of such facilities, which they declared as “totally wrong and unacceptable to the Mboho.”

According to Mboho, such facilities could only be bequeathed to the PHEDC or any other distribution company whatsoever, on the basis of 50-50 Equity Ownership between the provider(s) of the facilities and the Distribution Company;

The group declared as unethical and against the business principles for PHEDC or any distribution company in the Country to surreptitiously arm twist individuals or communities to repair or replace damaged power facilities, while the distribution companies are only interested in the circulation and collection of outrageous bills.

PHEDC, Mboho advocated, as a matter of urgency commence the distribution of prepaid metres to its customers in the State and desist henceforth from giving outrageous estimated bills to Akwa Ibom households.

The Mboho commended the Akwa Ibom State government for the plan to float a State owned Power Distribution Company; and noted that such an investment will improve power supply to the State as well as boost the State’s industrialization and small-scale business drive, create wealth, empower the citizenry and ultimately improve the State’s economy.

The communiqué praised the Akwa Ibom State government for plans to continually connect more communities in the State to the National grid and for the planned distribution of more transformers to Akwa Ibom Communities;

The Mboho called on Communities in the State to jealously guard against the vandalisation or theft of transformers and other power facilities provided in their Communities;

Mboho thanked the Federal government through its donor agency for the provision of Solar Power Lights to 27 Communities in Akwa Ibom State and solicited that more Communities in the State should be enlisted to benefit from the programme;

On Petroleum Resources, the Mboho appealed to all oil Companies and their subsidiaries operating in Akwa Ibom, to ensure prompt remittance of all taxes due to the State without delay

The group demanded that oil Companies, all industrial and other blue chip business establishments operating in the State should regularly carry out reasonable level of Corporate Social Responsibility for the benefit of their host communities to enhance a cordial working relationship with such Communities.

Oil companies, the group charged, should promptly intervene upon report of oil spillage in their host Communities, by arresting the spillage and paying appropriate compensation to affected Communities.

They expressed gratitude to Governor Udom Emmanuel for appointing members of Mboho into his cabinet, including Akparawa John James Etim and for empowering them to effectively carry out their mandates.

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