C’River House of Assembly invites PHEDC over estimated billing

By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –

The Cross River State House of Assembly has invited the management of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) in the state to explain why estimated billing method is the preferred choice of the company.

It also resolved to invite the company to explain why it has not been able to address public complaints about high tariff and reluctance in giving out pre-paid meters.

The house’s resolution was sequel to a motion moved by a member representing Boki 1 State Constituency, Hon. Itam Abang who narrated how she has been receiving complaints from her constituents over PHEDC’s “extortion.”

While moving the motion, Abang said: “light is very important to the existence of our people. It is unacceptable for our PHEDC to continue to exploit our people by giving estimated bills and hoarding of pre-paid meters.

“We are voted to represent our people and my prayer is that PHEDC should be invited to this honorable House to explain why people are paying bills even when there is no light,” she said.

She added: “Even when a community buys a transformer, PHDEC will only come with bills which, in most cases, are outrageous. We should invite the zonal office to tell us if this is not fraud,” she noted.

After her motion, the Speaker, Eteng Jonah Williams asked other Lawmakers to comment and they took turns to narrate their experiences with the power company.

After majority of the members had spoken, Speaker Eteng called for a voice vote and there was no dissenting voice.