Looming Electricity Customers Protest: Gov. Yahaya Bello Needs To Intervene Quickly »

By Arc Levi Zachariah
Lokoja

It is no longer news that electricity supply to Kogi State has deteriorated in the last two months, what is shocking and causing hysteria and panic is the continuous rising of electricity bills across the state unabated.

Over the years, the Light Up Movement has remained the sole organized pressure group that has consistently continued to mediate between the electricity consumers in Kogi State and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and ensured that consumers are not shortchanged. The recent billing trajectory in spite of the poor supply require the state actors particularly the state Government to begin to take serious interest in this.

The recent activities of the company is on the brink of causing serious upheaval and chaos with several communities chanting war songs against any AEDC staff coming to enforce what is term “Paying for Darkness”. The constantly increasing bills is coming at the heels of several complaints by communities who have to had to resort to self help to solve their challenges from procurement of transformer, cables, poles, transformer oils and couple with slow response to clearing of faults.

In November, the MD/CEO of AEDC Engr. Adeoye Fadeyibi and his team, Kogi State Commissioner for Rural & Energy Development Engr. Mohammed Abdulmutallib had met with His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the discussion was reported to be centered on energy projects towards improving power supply in Kogi state. Fast forward today, the visit can best be described as a Greek gift. The state actors need to step up and save the state from impending protest and revolts.

Many have attributed the recent poor developments as a ploy my the new Kogi Regional Manager, Mr. Danladi Baba who different sources confirmed to be a strong advocate for load shedding and squeezing every penny from customers whether they have received adequate supplies or not.

His less than two months tenure is already raising more questions than answers.

There has been rumors of Filling Station owners, diesel sellers and generator sellers severally attempting to induce the immediate past Regional Manager Lamidi Obadaki to no avail. Have they finally found their way?
Why is the supply dropping but the bills rising.

Why has AEDC refused to deploy meters under NMPP to Kogi State apart from the very few numbers delivered to customers on Band A (Phase Zero)?
What new infrastructures has AEDC deployed in Kogi State in the last 5 years to ensure stable power and less interruptions on the feeders?

Even communities that were billed within the range of 12000 and 13000 barely get 8hrs supplies a day with feeder one getting as much as 17,000 representing over 35% increase. This bills do commensurate with the supply and it is criminal.

The Kogi State Government should begin to see the negative effects of these on the micro economy of the state and the possible breaking down of law and order.

Arc Levi Zachariah
Lokoja