Protesting electricity consumers from the Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State on Wednesday blocked the office of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company in Calabar, Cross River, over 12 months power blackout in the community.
The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions, including, ‘We are tired of blackout caused by Maurice Ibok’, ‘N857m electricity consumer debt is a lie,’ among others.
They also disrupted business activities on the premises of the PHEDC state headquarters.
A representative of the group, Mr Jonathan Osang, said they had not had electricity for over a year, adding that in spite of the blackout, they were still being served high estimated bills every month.
Osang accused the Business Manager of PHEDC in Calabar, Mr Maurice Ibok, of incompetence in the way he handled the matter.
“We are here to protest the non-supply of power to Akpabuyo for over a year now. Akpabuyo LGA that is known as a city of light is now a city of total darkness.
“We call on the management of PHEDC to, as a matter of urgency, look into our matter and restore our power supply,” he added.
While speaking with the protesters, Ibok said, “We have met some of the residents in Akpabuyo. We have even promised to engage them to work with us.
“I am ready for us to settle this issue amicably and peacefully. But the idea of locking our gate and preventing customers from coming in to pay their bills is not appropriate.”
