Rep. Onyemaechi Mrakpor representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, of Delta State in the House of Representatives recently moved a motion in the House drawing attention to the five year electricity blackout of her constituency. In this interview she elaborates on the efforts she and other concerned stakeholders have made to redress the situation and gives notice of a legal action against the power distribution company.Excerpts:
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
Her motion
It is true that I sponsored a motion on Wednesday, August 12 in the House of Representatives on the plight of the people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, which comprises Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South. My people have been in total darkness for over five years. It has been a very terrible situation and I needed to let the whole world know what my people have been going through. Before 2011, we had the challenges of power fluctuation, electricity was coming once in a week. But from 2011, the communities have experienced total blackout. When we approached the company in charge of our area, the management said it needed a 133 KVA transformer which was provided by the federal government. They also requested that some electricity poles be changed, again, all the affected communities had their poles replaced.
It is true that I sponsored a motion on Wednesday, August 12 in the House of Representatives on the plight of the people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, which comprises Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South. My people have been in total darkness for over five years. It has been a very terrible situation and I needed to let the whole world know what my people have been going through. Before 2011, we had the challenges of power fluctuation, electricity was coming once in a week. But from 2011, the communities have experienced total blackout. When we approached the company in charge of our area, the management said it needed a 133 KVA transformer which was provided by the federal government. They also requested that some electricity poles be changed, again, all the affected communities had their poles replaced.
As a member of Delta State House of Assembly then, I provided extra 133 KVA transformer. I took it as one of my constituency projects. As we speak, five years after, we still do not have light.
Rep. Mrakpor
Power company
We have done everything expected of us. My community heads have held several meetings with the power company, the most recent was two months ago at the palace of Obi of Ubulu-Uku where they promised to restore electricity within two weeks. It is now two months after and nothing has been done. I am getting very embarrassed and I just needed to cry out to the nation.
Reason for threatening legal action
Yes, it appears that is the only remedy to the problem of electricity in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, which I represent in the House of Representatives. I understand that some people in Edo State hired the services of a lawyer against the same company – Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) before they could find solution to their own problem. So, I have resolved if between now and the time the House resumes in September, and nothing is done, I think we have to toe the same line as the people of Edo.
Socio-economic impact of the situation
The fact is that nothing is happening in these affected communities. Socio-economic lives of the people have been brought to a standstill. The worse affected were operators of small scale businesses such as hair dressers, cyber cafe operators, welders and mechanics and barbers. The impact is unquantifiable. In order to remain in business, these people have resorted to alternative power supply which is usually the smallest generator but at the end of day, they hardly make profit. Their profit is channelled towards buying fuel to power generators. This has also affected the social life of the people. Before 6.30 pm, it looks as if residents of the areas have disappeared into the desert. It is a terrible situation. You know how you feel when light goes off for just one hour, then you can imagine how miserable life would have been for communities that were cut off for over five years at a stretch.
The fact is that nothing is happening in these affected communities. Socio-economic lives of the people have been brought to a standstill. The worse affected were operators of small scale businesses such as hair dressers, cyber cafe operators, welders and mechanics and barbers. The impact is unquantifiable. In order to remain in business, these people have resorted to alternative power supply which is usually the smallest generator but at the end of day, they hardly make profit. Their profit is channelled towards buying fuel to power generators. This has also affected the social life of the people. Before 6.30 pm, it looks as if residents of the areas have disappeared into the desert. It is a terrible situation. You know how you feel when light goes off for just one hour, then you can imagine how miserable life would have been for communities that were cut off for over five years at a stretch.
The reason the Power company gave for the blackout
They personally told me that all that was needed have been provided. The company confirmed that everything was in order. My concern is, if everything that was needed has been provided, what then is the problem? At the last count, they said they were trying to restore old meters and that was going to take them about two weeks. As I said, this is the second month after the last meeting and nothing has happened. So much damage has been done to the socio-economic life of the people.
They personally told me that all that was needed have been provided. The company confirmed that everything was in order. My concern is, if everything that was needed has been provided, what then is the problem? At the last count, they said they were trying to restore old meters and that was going to take them about two weeks. As I said, this is the second month after the last meeting and nothing has happened. So much damage has been done to the socio-economic life of the people.
We also know that under darkness, so much satanic activities going on.
Satanic activities
I travelled home two weeks ago and it was reported that a kidnapped victim was found in my town. So many things are happening under the cover of darkness. The entire scenario is getting embarrassing.
It appeared that some of us in government are heartless. It is almost a crime for me to turn on my generator when I travel to my village because you do not do that in the midst of thick darkness. You will appear insensitive to the people. So, you will want to identify with them in their pains and frustration.
Some of us in government went out of our ways to support personally to ensure the light is restored, yet, it was the same old story. In all these efforts, they were unable to pinpoint exactly what the problem was. They just kept telling us to wait for another two weeks and at the end of that two weeks, they will promise us light in another two weeks and it continued like that.
No comments:
Post a Comment