…As NGO Threatens Court Action Against PHCN

A non-governmental organisation, Global Initiative on Infrastructural Development (GIID) has threatened to institute a legal action against the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for allegedly extorting billions of Naira from members of the public through illegal collection of fees for meter maintenance services.

 In a statement signed by the NGO’s President, Comrade Sam Agbetuyi, the body alleged that PHCN extorted about N3, 193, 790, 400.00 billion.

It said the extortion was most frequent with the single phase meter sysem. 

Describing the act as illegal, GIID said that between the year 2000 and 2008, Dugbe, Ibadan District alone has charged and collected N3,193,790, 400.00 as meter maintenance charges from its single phase electricity consumers.

The organisation remarked that the PHCN’s alleged deceit was unjustifiable particularly in this era of due process and emphasised rule of law under which non legislated charges are being paid for services not rendered.

The statement which demanded for an urgent end to the alleged fraudulent act, advised PHCN authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter, threatening that it would sue PHCN if its demand was not adhered to.

The president of GIID who is a pensioner of PHCN clarified that he has no personal grudge against the power company and insisted that PHCN was erroneously tasking unsuspecting consumers for services not rendered.

Meanwhile, electricity consumers who are owing PHCN, Ibadan zone may celebrate Christmas and New Year in darkness.

The business manager, Ede business unit, Mr Aliyu Awoniyi, in a statement made available to the press said task force on debt recovery world move from Ede, Iwo, Ejigbo, Ifon-Osun, Erin-Osun, Ilobu, Ido-Osun to Okinni and its environs to disconnect all unauthorised lines reconnected by customers who owed the company.

Awoniji warned those that engaged in illegal connection after being disconnected to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.

He assured customers who are prompt in payment of their bills of improve electricity supply during the festive period.