Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA) has received with great disappointment and dismay the trending news of dastardly plot by the EEDC to sabotage and frustrate the noble and novel initiative of the Imo State Government under the able leadership of the Share Prosperity Governor,Most Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma CON,(Onwa Oyoko ) to liberalise the powe generation, supply and distribution sector of the state with the triumphant entry of Orashi Electricity Company which is set to takeoff in earnest.
This visionary and laudable initiative has received wide commendation and acceptance across the state, considering the fact that it will address over a decade of protracted nightmares of poor services, gross stranglehold and evil monopolistic activities of the EEDC in which exploitation of the people and imposition of unbearable tariff and bills amidst non functioning power supply.The good news is that the State Government acted swiftly on the heels of Federal Government’s deregulation of the power sector from it’s hitherto exclusive list to the concurrent list which allows states (sub-nationals ) and other levels of government to generate, supply and distribute electricity to consumers in their catchment areas of jurisdiction.
It is a puzzle that EEDC is pissed with any progressive and constructive initiative that is aimed at truncating this prolonged monstrous and cutthroat approach of dealing with electricity consumers’ which had for more than twelve good years held the people to ransom,subjecting them to helpless and choiceless condition with attendant hardship and over billing procedure.The good intentions of the Imo state government to liberate the entrapped Imo Citizens with an alternative choice for electricity services has stirred bitterness,envy and unhealthy rivalry to these purveyors of economic sabotage and buccaneers who had drained electricity consumers and jeopardized industrialization and socioeconomic development of the state.It is worthy to note that within these twelve years of harsh and unfavorable electricity supply climate, EEDC had all through utilized already existing electric poles,wires, transformers and other essential structures put in place by individuals, communities, neighborhoods and governments without installing any single thing of their own and upon these public owned facilities,the EEDC still went ahead to exploit the people with crazy bills with very obstinate mindset that nothing will happen because of the evil monopoly. Now that the federal government in her wisdom decided to unbundle the power sector and provided a favourable environment for competitive investment in the independent electric power supply sector as was done in the telecommunication and petroleum Industries, EEDC has picked offense and one wonders what the crime of the Imo state government is?Must EEDC continue to do business in Imo State even if the people are no longer interested?Who is to blame over the decision of Imo people to withdraw their patronage? EEDC is obviously the people’s enemy number one! They had cheated, exploited and intimidated the people for too long.How else could one reconcile shoddy practice of imposing outrageous bills in the face of non availability of electricity supply? The EEDC will not supply electricity and still go about imposing bills.Even when they cut light, the EEDC continues to post bills and insist that their fictitious bills imposed under such questionable circumstances must be settled or they effect perpetual disconnection/ shutdown.
The decision of the Imo state government to address this malady of deliberate socio-economic strangulation by EEDC by setting in motion an alternative power Company through the triumphant entry of Orashi Electricity Company is indeed a breath of fresh air,an elixir and catalytic inducement of a favourable climate for secured socioeconomic boom and prosperity.By addressing the anomaly and bolstering 24hrs uninterrupted electricity supply, the consumers in Imo State will naturally desubscribe the EEDC and hook up with their new darling Orashi. And that will be a welcome development because of its multiplier effects and positive consequences as stated earlier.So, this is what EEDC intends to stop so that they will continue with their economic manipulation and destruction? OPOCA is not finding this betrayal and treacherous behavior funny and will stop at nothing on it’s drive to mobilize and galvanize the Imo Citizens to resist this 21st Century economic slavery by sadistic neocolonialists who are hell-bent on continuing with the strangulation of the state through power monopoly and over billing amidst unavalibility of electricity. OPOCA is not unmindful of some saboteurs within whose vested interest in EEDC is being used to goard the Agency against the collective interest of the people by frustrating the good efforts of the State Government.We are watching them!This is the only way the government and people of Imo State deemed it necessary to stop the madness and it is the people’s right under the existing law to choose any electricity company of their choice to actualize their long dreamed economic recovery through homemade electricity revolution.EEDC can’t impose their services under whatever circumstances or guise hence the people are fed up with their overbearing attitude.
Orlu political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA), warns that it cannot fold its hands and allow any person or group of persons hiding under the cover of such unfriendly and retrogressive Organizations like EEDC to frustrate the efforts of the State Government in giving the people a new lease of life and renewed hope for a better Imo State. OPOCA is not disposed to banter or sugarcoat words with EEDC and calls for immediate closing of shop in the state.If after seven days, the EEDC fails to withdraw it’s evil plot against the smooth takeoff of Orashi Electricity Company,Imo State will be made unconducive for EEDC and its agents to operate and nobody should blame OPOCA for such backlash that will unfold from the Citizens!
A stich in time saves nine.We say no to continued strangulation of IMO State by EEDC and their partners!
Signed
Hon Chief Greg Obioha
Spokesperson (OPOCA) Orlu Political Consultative Assembly
