Oscarline Onwuemenyi
05 April 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has threatened to sack any staff involved in extortion of money from customers or illegal acts while discharging official duties in Nasarawa State.
The Director of Corporate Service of the AEDC, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbiyi, gave the warning in Lafia while answering questions from members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly during plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi.
Ogunbiyi pleaded with the lawmakers and people of the state to be patient as the company was doing everything humanly possible to improve on the supply of electricity not only in the state but in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ogunbiyi said, “We have listened to all the complaints from people across the state and I want to assure you that we will sack any of our staff found wanting in the discharge of his or her duties such as illegal collection, extortion of money from our customers and other illegalities.”
Earlier, the speaker said the assembly decided to summon the management of the AEDC over various petitions and complaints the House had received from people across the state.
Balarabe-Abdullahi said, “Our people have complained over the billing system by the AEDC, mostly of over-billing, estimated billing without meter reading while they pay for light without enjoying it.
“They have also said it is a global trend that civilized societies are gearing for prepaid meters, while there is a sorry state of stagnation, and that either your company is benefiting in the process or your staff is milking our people dry.
“Another issue is the problem where disconnected houses have been billed at the end of every month which is not supposed to be so.”
Balarabe-Abdullahi urged the company to improve on its power supply, considering the importance of electricity to the socio-economic development of the country.
Godiya Akwashiki, the Deputy Speaker, read out the resolution reached during the meeting.