Residents of Lokoja local government area, Kogi State capital on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Area office to present their complaints on the constant power outage and epileptic power supply in the State.

The aggrieved residents asked the company to expedite action on the poor supply, as the lack of power was crippling businesses in the state.

The protesters who were led by the chairman of a pressure group under the aegis of ‘Light up Movement’, Mallam Illiasu Zakari lamented that they had been experiencing outages before the celebration of Christmas and New Year to the present time and AEDC did nothing about it.

The group also demanded an end to outrageous billing by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in Kogi State.

The group added that “Failure to correct the abnormalities or complaints enumerated will leave us with no choice but to mobilize for the next phase of these demands. Enough of AEDC surcharging us and putting the movement in bad light in the minds of the public while reneging on all agreements reached in previous engagements.”

They displayed placards with inscriptions such as: “We are tired of frequent power outage, epileptic power supply in Lokoja and its environs”, “AEDC should give us light to boost our economic fortunes in the state.” Stop the outrageous billings”.

One of the protesters, Inuwa Isa, said electricity was not always available, even before the celebration of Christmas and New year, as residents were always left in darkness.

The Area Manager of AEDC in Lokoja, Emmanuel Ajibogun, who attended to the aggrieved residents commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct and promised to look into their grievances.

He disclosed that a roundtable discussion will be held with the leadership of the community as soon as possible.

The most affected are residents, iron fabricators, petty traders, restaurants and bars, sachet water sellers who complained of poor sales. (Nigerian Tribune)

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