By Elizabeth ADENUGA
The Light Up Movement, a pressure group, on Friday condemned in strong terms attack and destruction of property of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Lokoja Area Office on Thursday by some protesters.
The residents of Ganaja area of Lokoja on Thursday, besieged AEDC Area Office and vandalised some property of the establishment, citing exorbitant and estimated billing and general inefficiency of the company for their action.
They also listed estimated billing, over-billing, non-reading of meters, poor electricity supply and lack of prepaid meters, among others as their grievous.
Mr Isiyak Suleiman, the Chairman, Light up Movement, in a statement in Lokoja, said the attack on AEDC office and destruction of some of its property remained condemned and unacceptable.
He said the group had embarked on advocacy/sensitization tour, in collaboration with AEDC, to enlighten the public on channels through which consumers could use to adequately address their complaints.
“To imagine having a scheduled engagement with Ganaja Community on Jan. 16, and they are vandalising office infrastructure on Jan. 10, to drive home their demands leaves us to wonder.
“It is the right of the consumers to seek redress and demand for better service within the ambit of the law, including peaceful protest.
“As a movement, we are aware of so many power issues across Kogi and not just Ganaja alone, and engagement is ongoing with AEDC to bring an end to these issues.
“This engagement is to enable our people in Ganaja and other places have equitable power to do their businesses and live well.
“Therefore, resorting to self-help to a point of vandalising company’s property is unacceptable and it stands condemned,” he said.
He advised communities facing electricity challenges to explore dialogue as a means of resolving their complaints rather than resorting to wanton destruction of property.
Suleiman assured that the group would continue to use every peaceful method to mediate between electricity consumers and AEDC across the state.
The chairman noted that the movement on Thursday, carried out advocacy and enlightenment campaign in Anyigba, saying that of Kabba and Okene would hold on Jan 14, and Lokoja, Jan. 16.
The group advocates quality and better service delivery of basic amenities for the people of Kogi.
