Electricity situation in Kogi: Light Up Movement gives further update as 7 Day ultimatum to AEDC draws near »

As the 7 days ultimatum given to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company AEDC in Kogi State approaches, the Light Up Movement has said consultations and interventions behind the scenes have continued to ensure the objective of the group was achieved.

A press statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Hon Kerry Haruna said stakeholders connected with the matter have begun to show concerns and have intervaned with a desire to find a lasting resolution to the issues raised over the poor electricity supply.

According to the statement, one of such intervention was by the paramount ruler of Lokoja who heads the area’s traditional institution, the Maigari, HRM (Dr) Muhammad Kabir Maikarfi III.

The statement stated that the Royal Father had through the Maiyaki of Lokoja, Alhaji Ali Lawal, facilitated an interface between the leadership of Light Up Movement and that of AEDC in its Kogi State Regional Office in Lokoja and the meeting held on Thursday, 28th of November, 2019.

“The meeting saw in attendance the General Manager of AEDC, Engr. Mutalib Mohammed; the Deputy General Manager, Engr. Bandaki; the Area Manager, Engr. Chris Chime and other senior staff of the company.

“Others included; Chairman and Secretary of Light Up Movement, Comrade Iliyasu Zakari and Yabagi Mohammed; the group’s Organising Secretary, Ibrahim S. Nuhu; the Financial Secretary, (Chief) Henry Francis Folaranmi; the Assistant Secretary, Comrade Michael Achor Joshua, among others.

“The Light Up Movement highlighted the reasons for the proposed protest to include deteriorating power supply which is affecting businesses and general livelihood of the people of Kogi state, especially Lokoja the capital, lack of access to information from AEDC management which had totally shut its doors on the group; estimated billing system and slow response to complaints by customers.

“The General Manager, Engr. Mutallib in his reaction explained the reasons for the drop in supply to include generation shortfall and poor revenue collection.

“He emphasised the channels of submitting complaints by customers as responsible for the delays in responding to faults, and urged customers to file their complaints to AEDC offices.

He however gave the assurance that they are doing their best to tackle the situation with the assurance to be more accessible and open to the movement going forward.

“After serious deliberation, it was proposed that the scheduled protest be suspended to allow for further dialogue considering that the state just came out of an election.”

The statement also captured that it was agreed at the day 4 meeting that a six-man committee; three each from the Light Up Movement and AEDC be set up to meet and agree to a workable terms for engagement and that the low voltage supply to the traditional areas in Lokoja be taken up immediately by the General Manager to see that it was rectified.

The statement added that the Light Up Movement was consulting further to determine the next line of action as it was in possession of a respond from the Kogi State command of the Nigeria Police, acknowledging receipt of their protest request letter and is preparing to have another round of meeting with the members of executive on Monday at Command Headquarters.