Akwanga – Hundreds of youths in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Tuesday took to the streets to protest persistent epileptic power supply.
The protest was, however, under the keen watch of security agencies which included the police, FRSC and NSCDC to avert a breakdown of law and order.
Mr Zafi Jonathan-James, the Chairman, Youths Council in the area, led the protesters to register their grouse with the Akwanga Area Manager of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
He told newsmen that the poor electricity supply had impacted negatively on their businesses.
According to him, the poor electricity supply has affected their lives and socio-economic activities negatively.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the youths carried placards with inscriptions like: “Youths say no to darkness in Akwanga”, “We want constant power supply”.
Others read: “Enough is enough over poor power supply” and “AEDC stop exploiting us”.
Jonathan-James said:“It is with great dismay that we register our displeasure at the way and manner the AEDC is riding rough-shod over us as regards uninterrupted service in electricity distribution and supply.”
He said AEDC was also engaging in indiscriminate billing of residents.
“Apart from that their billing system is an extension of corruption and consolidation of kleptomania as there is no meter reading.
“To our chagrin, while it is a global trend that civilised societies are gearing up for prepaid metres, ours is a sorry state of stagnation.
“We, the youths and other consumers of AEDC product in Akwanga need constant power supply, prepaid metres and we say no to over-billing, estimated billing and constant power outage,” he said.
Mr Segun Momoh, the AEDC Public Relations Officer, called on the protesting youths to be patient with the company.
He said the company would do everything possible to improve on the power supply to Akwanga and its environs.
“Last week, we held a meeting with the chairman of the local government over the issue, we are doing our best to improve on the power supply situation not only in Akwanga, but in the entire country,” he said. (NAN)
