A Network of Civil Society Organizations in Borno State (NECSOB) has called on Federal Government, to as a matter of priority and urgency, prevail on Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) to restore electricity supply to Borno State.
Hence, the Civil Society has threatened a protest in order to press home their demand on the electricity restoration in Borno State, having experienced blackout for a month; throughout the Holy month of Ramadan.
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Bulama Abiso, Chairman of NECSOB, who addressed a Press Conference in Maiduguri on Tuesday, however
appealed to Borno State Government and all other relevant stakeholders to support the reversal of this anti-people policy which would further inflict suffering on already overstretched people of the State.
He said, “We’re also appealing to the Federal Government, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Generation Companies (GENCO), Transmission Companies of Nigeria (TCN), the Borno State Government and all other relevant stakeholders to support the reversal of this anti people policy, considering the current recovery status of the State.
“We also observed with dismay how the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) distributes electricity bills for the months of February and March to households when there has been no power supply.
“This concern is affecting every household on the estimated billing system occasioned by abrupt disruption of free installation of the metering systems that ought to have been distributed but are now alleged to be sold at exorbitant prices.
“Consequently, we are requesting that YEDC resumes the free distribution and installation of the metering system to every household in Borno State. We’re equally calling on the YEDC to also enhance its distribution capacity to sufficiently meet the demands of the metropolis.
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“This is because we have observed in recent times that the consequences associated with the lack of power supply in the state includes: loss and dysfunctional state of small businesses and livelihood ventures, water scarcity across the state and has led to untold hardship faced by people in the revered month of Ramadan.
“We however acknowledge the efforts of the His Excellency the Executive Governor of the State Prof. Babagana Umara Zullum in intervening on the issue of restoring power in the State.”
