The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) says it is currently working to replace faulty transformer in Federal Housing Estate, Ogbor-Hill in Aba, and restore regular electricity supply to the estate.

The Head, Communications in EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday.

Ezeh noted that their transformer was replaced recent, “but it was Unfortunate, the new transformer developed another fault after few days of installation”.

He also debunked the current false social media report by accredited to some residents of the estate that an unidentified staff of EEDC Collected N2 million for the purchase of a new transformer for the estate.

He said that with regards to the claim by some resides of estate, who alleged that they were duped by EEDC, it would be nice for them to Provide details of the staff who received the said sum of N2 million and date this transpired.

According to him, I find it difficult to comprehend that such amount of money can be handed over to an unknown person in this age and time with our level of knowledge, exposure and science.

Ezeh emphasised that the estate customers never paid any money to EEDC office or any of its staff; and that the money they paid was made into bank account to service their indebtedness, and not for the purchase of a new transformer.

“However, from information gathered, the transformer serving the customers developed fault, and while effort was being made to repair it, the customers were mobilising, contributing money to buy a new transformer.

“But, we (EEDC) do not encourage such, as it is our responsibility to replace faulty or damaged transformers.

“Considering a huge outstanding debt of N43 million owed by customers served by the said transformer, the Network Manager in charge of Aba District, met with their representatives and advised them on the need to pay part of their arrears to enable EEDC replace their transformer.

“At the end of the meeting, they agreed to pay the sum of N3 million as part payment for debt-owed by the estate, and they equally agreed to subsequently service this debt with a view to clearing the outstanding bill.

“At the end, they eventually paid a total sum of N2 million into their individual EEDC accounts.

“This money was paid at the bank and not to any EEDC staff, as alleged in the earlier false report in social media.

“And I understand that the receipts of the payments is with them, and the payment was made in N1.5 million and N500,000 installments respectively.

“Subsequently, after their payment of N2 million, their transformer was replaced, but unfortunately, developed another fault after few days. Effort is being made to replace the transformer and restore Electricity in the estate,” he said.

He alleged that the residents of the estate were hostile on EEDC field Staff and not allowing them carry out disconnection of indebted customers; thus, this attitude informed the huge outstanding bill incurred by the customers in the estate.

He added: “The need for customers to pay their electricity bill cannot be over emphasized. There is no way EEDC can be efficient if Customers owe it so much.

“Replacement of transformers and its repairs cost money, and situation where some customers resort to emotional blackmail of EEDC and taking advantage of some of their media friends to disseminate unverified information and make unfounded allegations is disheartening.”

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