The Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity, CARE, has called for the immediate restoration of electricity in some communities in Ajegunle area of Laogs State by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC.
EKEDC was said to have unlawfully disconnected electricity supply to the communities because the communities resisted billing for the period of three months electricity was not supplied.
In a statement issued by CARE national coordinator, Chinedu Bosah and national secretary, Shoyombo Monsuru, the communities affected are listed as Aiyetoro, Alayabiagba, Okorogbo, Ugbowankwo Lane, Tunkarimu, Olubokola, Iyalode, Odofin, Ijora and Bale.
CARE explained that the Apapa TCN 45 MKV Transformer broke down on May 17, 2020 and supply of electricity was not restored until August 21.
The disruption in power supply affected the stated communities, the group said.
EKEDC was however said to have circulated electricity bills for May 2020, June 2020 and July 2020, the three months period there was no electricity supply, to the affected residents.
CARE said the communities’ residents staged a peaceful mass protest on Thursday, August 27, 2020 in response to the unlawful and exploitative billing.
In order to force the unwarranted bills down the residents’ throat, EKEDC was reported to have unlawfully and callously disconnected the communities on Friday, August 28, 2020.
“The disconnection of the communities in issue is unjust, illegal and violates the rights of the affected residents to electricity.
“Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE) condemns this mass disconnection.
“CARE demands the immediate and unconditional reconnection of the communities plunged in darkness. It is worth mentioning that EKEDC engages in outrageous estimated billing, extortion of the electricity consumers, refusal to install functional distribution facilities and infrastructure, refusal to issue prepaid meters to consumers, etc.,” the group said.
“We call on the Ministry of Power and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to call EKEDC to order. We also support all peaceful actions of the affected communities in the struggle for affordable and regular electricity supply. We call on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to mobilise Nigerians to resist the exploitation of EKEDC, other Electricity Distribution Companies and the Generating Companies, and fight for regular and affordable electricity supply,” CARE said.
