Aba, Abia State – Residents of Aba have expressed outrage over the persistent power outages plaguing the city, blaming Aba Power (APL) for failing to deliver on its promise of 24-hour electricity.
In a scathing critique, concerned resident Sixtus Chidozie Ike who spoke with IgbereTV, condemned APL’s performance since taking over from Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) three years ago.
“APL’s takeover was initially welcomed, but it has been a disaster,” Ike said. “We don’t get up to 24 hours of light in a month. The company’s metering promise remains unfulfilled, and estimated billing is worse than under EEDC.”
Ike cited the non-functional gas power plant commissioned earlier this year as evidence of APL’s inability to deliver. “How can they promise 24-hour power without gas to power their turbines?” he questioned.
“Currently, Ommuma Road and its axis have been in darkness for over two weeks. APL’s rationing of less than 2 hours of electricity periodically has crippled businesses and households.”
“Aba Power means darkness and hardship for Aba,” Ike declared. “We call on stakeholders to intervene in this looming crisis. Aba, the ‘Japan of Africa,’ cannot thrive under APL’s monopolistic and profiteering tendencies.”
Ike demanded the return of EEDC, stating, “Our patience is running out. Aba people will not be silenced.”
Read him below
“Hello TV igbere news, I have been domiciled in Aba for over 20years now. It has been almost three years since the Aba power APL company took from EEDC company. At first we welcomed them in their first three months of operation when they took over from EEDC, promising 24 hours. Although formal EEDC gives Aba residents light every night & day up to 7hours respectively. We thought Aba was going to be better off, so we rallied behind APL, not knowing we had entered into worsening power outages. Aba people are now paying for darkness. We don’t have up to 24 hours of light in a month. Aba power promises to meter every household with electric meters. They criticised formal EEDC for exorbitant estimated Billing, but they are the worst. What Aba power is doing in a commercial nerve centre is an economic sabotage.
“The gas power plant they commissioned earlier this year is yet to commence power generation. How can a company give a false publicity of giving Aba 24 hours without having gas to power their gas turbines. Today Aba power is rationing not more than 2Hours light once in a while Aba . For instance , Ommuma road and its axis had been in darkness for over 2 weeks now and counting. Aba power means darkness and hardship for Aba.
“We call on all stakeholders to intervene in the looming power crisis bedeviling Aba city. This is the time to speak and act. Aba city which is the Japan of Africa, can’t move on under this monopolistic and profiteering tendencies of Aba power. We call for the return of EDDC since Aba power is overwhelmed and unprepared to deliver to its onerous task of at least 12hours light everyday. Our patience is running out. Aba people no dey carry last.”
All efforts to obtain reaction from APL proved abortive as calls to their officials phone numbers were not answered nor returned. and messages were not replied.
