August 04, (THEWILL) – The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has faulted the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company over the mass disconnection of several Cross River local government areas and communities from public power supply.
Some of the affected areas are in the Northern and Central senatorial districts in the state like Obudu, Bekwarra, Obanliku, Ogoja, Ikom, Obubra and Boki.
Also affected are large parts of Akamkpa LGA in the Southern Senatorial District, as well as parts of Biase.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Babatunde Irukera, expressed his displeasure in Calabar, during the opening of a four-day Electricity Consumer Complaint Resolution Platform in Cross River State.
The platform is supported by the MacArthur Foundation and will bring together electricity consumers and regulators in the electricity sector.
In the words of Irukera, “That a local government has been disconnected because of some people who have not paid bills is insensitive.
“When you disconnect communities because of some people who did did not pay bills, it is oppressive.
“This should stop because the law does not permit you to disconnect people en masse, as a matter of fact the law prohibits you”, he said.
He added that the biggest problem in the sector is whether consumers are getting value for the bills you compel them to pay.
He also disclosed that the platform will help in engaging with the people more and help address arbitrariness.
He explained that he is quite certain that over the next few days, several complaints within the sector will be resolved.
He said the commission understands the frustrations of consumers, but stressed that regardless of their frustrations they have to respect lawful processes.
On his part, the Director General of the State Electrification Agency, Eric Akpo, said power distribution in the state is seriously eating up small scale enterprises.
He said outrageous tariffs for little or no power supply across the state is a chronic problem that needs to be addressed.
He also lamented that the state government acquired hundreds of transformers for it’s communities, but PHED demanded money running into millions to install and activate these transformers.
This, he said, is wrong because the transformers become assets of the PHED and they charge bills eventually, yet the government gets nothing.
He said all the actors have to find a way to sort out all the challenges in the sector.
Also speaking, Effiom Ene, an Assistant General Manager with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency, said NERC is here to over see the engagement.
He assured all stakeholders and consumers that they will collaborate and work to address the challenges within the sector.
On his part, Collins Igwe, an official of the PHED and representative of the MD/CEO, said most of the problems in the sector is self inflicted.
He, however, expressed optimism that engagements like this are very critical and they hope to look for a way to offer better service to the people of Cross River State.The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has faulted the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company over the mass disconnection of several Cross River local government areas and communities from public power supply.
Some of the affected areas are in the Northern and Central senatorial districts in the state like Obudu, Bekwarra, Obanliku, Ogoja, Ikom, Obubra and Boki.
Also affected are large parts of Akamkpa LGA in the Southern Senatorial District, as well as parts of Biase.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Babatunde Irukera, expressed his displeasure in Calabar, during the opening of a four-day Electricity Consumer Complaint Resolution Platform in Cross River State.
The platform is supported by the MacArthur Foundation and will bring together electricity consumers and regulators in the electricity sector.
In the words of Irukera, “That a local government has been disconnected because of some people who have not paid bills is insensitive.
“When you disconnect communities because of some people who did did not pay bills, it is oppressive.
“This should stop because the law does not permit you to disconnect people en masse, as a matter of fact the law prohibits you”, he said.
He added that the biggest problem in the sector is whether consumers are getting value for the bills you compel them to pay.
He also disclosed that the platform will help in engaging with the people more and help address arbitrariness.
He explained that he is quite certain that over the next few days, several complaints within the sector will be resolved.
He said the commission understands the frustrations of consumers, but stressed that regardless of their frustrations they have to respect lawful processes.
On his part, the Director General of the State Electrification Agency, Eric Akpo, said power distribution in the state is seriously eating up small scale enterprises.
He said outrageous tariffs for little or no power supply across the state is a chronic problem that needs to be addressed.
He also lamented that the state government acquired hundreds of transformers for it’s communities, but PHED demanded money running into millions to install and activate these transformers.
This, he said, is wrong because the transformers become assets of the PHED and they charge bills eventually, yet the government gets nothing.
He said all the actors have to find a way to sort out all the challenges in the sector.
Also speaking, Effiom Ene, an Assistant General Manager with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency, said NERC is here to over see the engagement.
He assured all stakeholders and consumers that they will collaborate and work to address the challenges within the sector.
On his part, Collins Igwe, an official of the PHED and representative of the MD/CEO, said most of the problems in the sector is self inflicted.
He, however, expressed optimism that engagements like this are very critical and they hope to look for a way to offer better service to the people of Cross River State.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
