AEDC customers in Kogi region angry as epileptic power supply continues despite tariff increment »

All is not well between electricity consumers and the management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in Kogi Region over continued deterioration in power supply to users despite recent rise in tariff.

A cross section of the consumers told our reporter that there is no justification for the increase in bills when the services they enjoy do not measure up as there is continued decline in hours of supply to, especially, those on bands between C and E.

They have called on the Management to justify the increment in tariff by improving supply, especially considering the weather situation in the state and the economic activities of the people.

An obviously angry Mr Peter Enemali told our reporter that the AEDC was insensitive to their situation, and urged the staff to sit up and work to justify their pay or look for jobs elsewhere.

He wondered why they would faithfully be paying their bills without enjoying the product (power) that they paid for, saying it smacks of ineptitude and loss of hard earned money.

Reacting furiously, Mr Isah Shaibu said the situation is worsening by the second, especially for those of them that are not on the more favoured 33 KVA, noting that though the AEDC has been reneging in its promises for regular power, the situation has worsened in the last few weeks.

The respondent said he had read in the press recently about the promise by the Kogi Region of the AEDC of at least, 11 hours power supply, but that what they currently enjoy leave much to be desired despite one hundred percent increment in billing.

He therefore called for more drastic steps by the management of the company and ensure those responsible for dragging its name faced some form of reprimand to serve as deterrence to others.

The consumer, who was quick not to generalise the issue, said there are emerging businesses and ventures that depend on electricity, adding that they are being negatively impacted by epileptic power supply.

Sources within the AEDC told our reporter that ageing equipments, a few staff with iffy characters and environmental factors were responsible for the situation, assuring that the current management in the region was working towards addressing the situation.

Efforts to reach both the managements of the AEDC and the power pressure group, Light Up Movement to speak on the matter proved unsuccessful as none of the members were ready to react to questions put to them by our reporter.