By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
Apex Ibibio youth group, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio has lauded Akwa Ibom government for it’s plans to float an electricity distribution company.
It has also called on oil companies promptly intervene upon report of oil spillage in their host Communities by arresting the spillage and paying appropriate compensation to affected Communities.
The communique endorsed weekend in Uyo by it’s International President Akparawa James Edet and Secretary, Akparawa Bassey Bassey at the end of it’s September Central Working Committee meeting also advocated for an equal sharing formular in the ownership of electricity infrastructure put in place by communities.
It regretted that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) is yet to improve upon its rather poor services to its customers in the State and condemed a situation where individuals or Communities in the State purchase and install electricity infrastructures only for PHEDC to later take ownership of such facilities.
“That it is unethical and against business principle for PHEDC or any distribution company in the Country to surreptitiously arm twist individuals or communities to repair or replace damaged power facilities while the distribution companies are only interested in the circulation and collection of outrageous bills
“That henceforth, such facilities could only be bequeathed to the PHEDC or any other distribution company whatsoever on the basis of 50-50 Equity Ownership between the provider(s) of the facilities and the Distribution Company.
“That PHEDC, should, as a matter of urgency commence the distribution of prepaid meters to its customers in the State and desist henceforth from giving outrageous estimated bills to Akwa Ibom households.” It said.
It said the plan to float a distribution company nby the state government would improve power supply to the state and boost the state’s industrialisation and small scale business drive, create wealth, empower the citizenry and ultimately improve the State’s economy
The communique commended the state government for plans to continually connect more communities in the State to the National grid and call on communities to jealously guide against the vandalisation or theft of Transformers and other power facilities provided them.
It called on oil companies and other blue chip business establishments operating in the state to regularly carry out reasonable level of Corporate Social Responsibility for the benefit of their host communities to enhance a cordial working relationship with such Communities.
