Lawmaker, Rep. Ibe Osonwa, LP-Abia has petitioned the National Assembly, seeking explanations why some communities in the Ohafia Local Government area of Enugu State have been denied power supply for five years.
He disclosed that, in spite of the blackout for five years, exorbitant bills to the tune of N2.1 billion were being presented to the affected communities.
Osonwa in a petition he submitted to the House of Representatives in Abuja on Friday, said that the communities were seeking explanation on how they accumulated a bill of N2.1bn in spite of not having power supply for five years.
He stated that several attempts have been made towards the amicable resolution of the lingering issues occasioned by the perpetual darkness in the affected communities, but to no avail.
Osonwa further noted that, in spite of efforts made by Abia State deputy governor, Mr Ikechukwu Emetu, who is from the affected area, to ensure that the communities celebrate Christmas with power wasn’t achieved.
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He said the Deputy Governor did all he could within his power, from replacing fallen poles, lines that were down, saying a lot of money has been spent by the community but, to no avail.
“The EEDC claimed that one of the lingering issues is alleged vandalism, which the governor and his deputy have agreed to resolve”, he said.
Osonwa said the most worrisome of the issues raised by EEDC was the over N2.1bn debt billed against the communities, how was it accumulated?.
“What they are telling us is that we should pay the money and they will give us power, but we are telling them to supply us power, then we resolve the so-called outstanding debt”, he added.
The lawmaker stated that the estimated bill presented to the communities by EEDC was unjustified and unwarranted.
He added that even his biological father, who died nearly three years ago, was presented an outstanding debt for the power he consumes amounting to N600,000.
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