Press Release
Following persistent outcry by the people of Imo state against unnecessary charges, inadequate and poor supply of electricity for their daily needs, the State House of Assembly, at its plenary on Tuesday, mandated the Business Manager of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to appear before it to give a vivid explanation to the good people of the state over the unfortunate scenario.
The visibly angered lawmakers, while giving the directives for the EEDC Business Manager to appear before it at its resumed plenary on Wednesday, 8 th October, 2014, also maintained that the EEDC would explain to the Imo people during the visit, the rationale behind the “fixed charge” cost, which customers are meant to pay at the end of the month whether they enjoyed constant power or not.
Leading in a motion titled: Motion to Invite the Authorities of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company in Imo state, the Chief Sponsor of the motion and the member representing Isiala Mbano state constituency, Hon. Simeon Iwunze, decried the colossal failure of the EEDC in their assigned duties of ensuring constant power supply to the people of the state to improve their daily needs, adding that prior to its privatization by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, hopes were high by the expectant Nigerians that there would be an adequate improvement in the supply of electricity.
He implored his colleagues to unanimously support the motion, as this would enable the electricity company, provide detailed explanation to Imo people over what he described as the company’s arbitrary fixed charge on their customers for services obviously not rendered.
The member for Ngor-Okpala state constituency, Hon. Emeka Nwofor, in his contribution stated that it was agonizing seeing most businesses in the state crumble over inadequate supply of power, adding that it was time for the people of the state to shake-off what he described as monumental fraud perpetrated against them by the company in the form of fixed charge.
Hon. Acho Ihim, representing Okigwe state constituency, while lending support to the motion, described power as the engine room of any economy and wondered why people of the state would be made to pay a certain amount of money which the company labeled as fixed charge, adding that such action was sheer wickedness against the people.
Also contributing, Hon. Luke Chukwu, representing Ohaji/Egbema state constituency, condemned the alleged sale of electric meters to the people without commensurate billing system, stressing that such fraudulent act should not be allowed to continue.
Other members, who contributed to the motion, described the motion as timely and commended the sponsor of the motion for his wisdom and passion for the welfare of the Imo people.
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Donatus Ozoemena, who presided over the plenary, commended his colleagues for their passionate contributions to the motion and further warned that the House would not condone any flagrant disregard of its invitation by the EEDC.
