The Network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Borno State have observed with dismay how the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) distributes bills for the months of February and March to households when there has been no power supply.
Addressing the media at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Maiduguri, the executive director of the CSOs in Borno State, Comrade Bulama Abiso, called on the YEDC to enhance its distribution capacity to sufficiently meet the demands of the metropolis.
He said,” This is because we have observed in recent times that the consequences associated with the lack of power supply in the state includes: loss and dysfunctional state of small businesses and livelihood ventures, water scarcity across the state and has led to untold hardship faced by people in the revered month of Ramadan.
“We also observed with dismay how the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) distributes electricity bills for the months of February and March to households when there has been no power supply.
“This concern is affecting every household on the estimated billing system occasioned by abrupt disruption of free installation of the metering systems that ought to have been distributed but are now alleged to be sold at exorbitant prices.
“Consequently, we are requesting that YEDC resumes the free distribution and installation of the metering system to every household in Borno state; We’re equally calling on the YEDC to also enhance its distribution capacity to sufficiently meet the demands of the metropolis. ”
Abiso said while the CSOs acknowledge the efforts of the governor of the State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, in intervening on the issue of restoring power in the state, they wish to call on all concerned stakeholders to rally around the governor to bring this lingering matter to the definite end.
He said indeed, the governor’s comment on restoration of power has reawakened the CSOs hope and confidence that power will soon be restored back in the state.
On the recent hike in electricity tariff, Abiso said, “It came to us as a great shock, the recent announcement by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the increase in electricity tariff without taking into account the current predicaments faced by the people of Borno State.
“We’re also appealing to the federal government, NERC, the Generation Companies (GENCOS), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Borno State government and all other relevant stakeholders to support the reversal of this anti-people policy, considering the current recovery status of the state,” he said.