In a “Matter of Urgent Public Importance” on the Poor and Shoddy Operations of EEDC in Abia State” raised by the Speaker, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji wherein he lamented that Abians are made to pay very high tariffs for power not supplied, he frowned at a situation where power equipment like transformers get faulty and it takes months, and in some cases, even years, to repair or replace such equipment thereby leaving the people in darkness and still expect them to pay.
The Speaker said a situation where he had personally provided several transformers to numerous communitues in his constituency but still charged sums way above the cost of the transformers for installation by operatives of EEDC, was worrying.
“My Distinguished Colleagues, beyond the atrocious activities earlier mentioned, you may wish to note that the already encumbered consumers are expected to contribute to repair or replace broken and faulty EEDC equipment and are left to grope in darkness for not effecting the repairs.
“Hon Colleagues, it is my considered opinion that urgent steps be taken to address this ugly situation in order to discontinue the relocation of small and medium scale enterprise clusters in our dear State to our sister States”, the Speaker said.
He further decried erratic power supply, obnoxious estimated billing, delay in repair/replacement of faulty power equipment and non distribution of prepaid metres to electricity consumers as directed by the Federal Government.
He therefore made the following Prayers:
1. That the House strongly Condemns the continuous use of Estimated Billing System for Abians contrary to what should be obtainable in the system
2. That the House do urge EEDC to commence the distribution of free prepaid metres to consumers in the State as directed by the Federal Government
3. That the House should as a matter of urgency consider and pass into Law H.A.B. 12: The Abia State Electric Power Authority and Power Stations Bill
4. That the State should look into alternative power supply for the State
5. That the House do urge EEDC to commence repairs and replacement of broken and faulty EEDC equipment
6. That the House do invite the Regional Manager of EEDC in its Executive Session for interaction with a view to finding a lasting solution to the menace.
After contributions from the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu, Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu, Rt Hon Kennedy Njoku, Hon Abraham Oba, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, Hon Emeka Okoroafor, Hon Obinna Ichita, Hon Aaron Uzodike and Hon Jerry Uzosike, the Speaker read out the Prayers as amended.
It was resolved that the Clerk of the House invite executive officials of EEDC to a session with the House on the matter.
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