Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has summoned the Area Manager, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to appear before it on April 30, over persistent power blackout and alleged over billing of customers across the state.
The house also summoned the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), Mr Yakubu Suleiman, to appear before it on the same date.
The house said the invitation was to enable them to explain why the situation was persistent and consumers having outrageous billing in the state.
Mr Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the House, announced the summon after Mr Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central) raised the issue on a matter of public importance during the House proceedings on Tuesday in Lafia.
The speaker said that the house wanted to know why there was epileptic power supply and over billing of customers across the state.
” This is affecting the lives of our people and their businesses negatively.
” Many people could not afford paying light bill again and even those that paid, hardly enjoy the electricity. “
The speaker said that the constitution empowered the house to invite anybody operating in the state for questioning on matters of public importance.
The speaker commended Akwashiki for bringing the matter and other members for their positive contributions on the issue.
Jatau commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in ensuring that the people of the state had constant power supply, lamenting that some unscrupulous people were sabotaging the government’s efforts.
Earlier, Mr Solomon Akwashiki, Member representing Lafia Central Constituency who raised the issue, said the activities of AEDC were not encouraging at all and had affected business activities in the State.
” Mr speaker and Hon. members, security and welfare of the people are the primary responsibility of the government.
” This matter has to do with the lives of our people and their businesses.
” The problem and the issue of non constant supply of power by AEDC, lack of light, meters and maintenance of electricity by AEDC is now the order of the day, provoking anger everywhere.
” For example, if you go to Rice Mill and other places in my constituency, they hardly get light for two hours within 24 hours of the day and if the light develops fault, AEDC don’t repair or provide cables, all they do is to collect money.”
Akwashiki called on his colleagues to support his motion to enable the house to invite the management of AEDC to explain why they are shortchanging the people of his constituency and the state at large.
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”People are paying for light without getting the light why? Why is AEDC not providing cables and transformers when they develop fault but only bother about collection of money, giving out bills, why? “
The members lamented the blackout and over billing by AEDC, supporting the need to summon the managements of AEDC and NAePA.
They said that the activities of AEDC were not encouraging business to flourish, which in turn promoted insecurity, unemployment, hardship and poverty in the state. (NAN)
