By our reporter
Residents of Millennium City in Kaduna State have appealed to the Kaduna State Government, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and Kaduna Electric to urgently restore electricity supply to the community following a total blackout.
The appeal was made by residents under the aegis of the Ministerial Plot Housing Estate Residents Association (MPHERA), after Kaduna Electric disconnected power supply to the entire Millennium City on Saturday amid an ongoing dispute over the replacement of electricity meters.
Chairman of MPHERA, Shafik Muazu Shira, said the residents were not opposed to proper metering or improved electricity services, but were concerned about the manner in which the proposed blanket replacement of existing meters was being carried out.
Shira said the metering dispute was already before the court and urged Kaduna Electric to allow the judicial process to run its course, warning that further actions capable of escalating the disagreement should be avoided.
He also questioned the decision to disconnect the entire community over objections to the metering exercise, describing the action as excessive and calling for urgent intervention by the relevant regulatory authorities.
The residents further raised concerns over plans to install electricity meters on poles, insisting that any such installation must comply with regulations and technical standards prescribed by NERC and NEMSA.
Shira said NEMSA had previously conducted an independent technical verification of meters in the affected estates and identified some requiring replacement or further action.
According to the residents, the blackout was already generating serious security concerns, particularly at night, while hospitals and other essential facilities in the area were also being affected. They said more than 500 people had been adversely impacted by the prolonged power disruption.
The residents appealed to Governor Uba Sani to intervene and prevail on Kaduna Electric to restore electricity pending the determination of the court case and completion of relevant regulatory processes.
They also urged NERC and NEMSA to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disconnection, while reiterating their readiness to resolve the dispute through dialogue and a peaceful, lawful and mutually acceptable process.
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