Tina Amanda
Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has restored power supply to Komkom substation in Oyigbo local government area, after two years of power outage.
PHED Regional Head Beta 2, Engineer Kenneth Idemudia, while commissioning the rehabilitated Komkom Injection substation, said the company deemed it fit to restore electricity supply to the people of Komkom community due to the understanding and yearnings of her esteemed customers in the area.
According to him, it is important to note that the power sector is very dynamic and evolutional in nature, as there is always development in the sector across the power value chain which affects every player in the electricity sector including customers.
He, however, encouraged the people of Komkom to live up to their obligation of paying electricity bills regularly and desist from any form of economic sabotage such as vandalism that will negate the relationship created, and the investment made by PHED to restore power supply to the community.
“Today is a day of gladness and testimony for Komkom community in Oyigbo Local government Area. With all shades of joy, our mission today is to commission and restore power supply
to Komkom community.
“Indeed, it is our pleasure to have this Community return to our network again because we understand the yearning of our customers in this community. It is for this reason that PHED solely decided to fund this project and ensure that electric power supply is restored to our very esteemed customers in Komkom.
“However, I must confess that it has not been an easy journey, but we were resolute about achieving this feat, and I am happy that we are all here to witness this ceremony today.
“Recall that we have had several conversations and engagements wIth representatives of this community before now, and we have been encouraged by their willingness and commitment to support PHED and collaborate with us to ensure that we do not go back to the era we are about to leave behind now.
“Therefore, I will encourage us to live up to our obligations and commitments as customers of PHED, by paying your bills fully, regularly and promptly, and by taking ownership of the electrical infrastructures in your community, ensuring they are safe and protected. Desist from acts of economic sabotage, meter by-pass, vandalism, assault, and other illegalities that will negates the cordial conversations we have had.
“The investment PHED has made to restore power supply here, the relationship we are now building and the prosperity of the Port Harcourt Electricity
Distribution (PHED) PLC as a business.
“We shall on our part create opportunities for regular engagements to enhance your understanding of what we are doing to serve the Komkom community and deepen the relationship we now have with the community.”
On his part, Chairman Oyigbo local government Council, Elder Okechukwu Akara-Nwaogu, who was represented by Dr. Chimereze Nworgu, commended PHED for restoring power supply to the community.
He urged the company to ensure there is constant electricity supply as power outage is majorly the cause of miscreant vandalizing electricity infrastructures in the area.
“You know that there can not be any industrialization without power supply, electricity is key, this relationship we have decided to renew sustain it. Sustain it with truth, truth actually sustain relationship and false hood erodes it rapidly.
“Today my people can boast of power courtesy of your effort, you have tried to rehabilitate the substation do not turn your eyes away from here. Ensure that the relationship is maintained, ensure that our people are not kept in the dark.”
Also, the palace Secretary of Komkom community, Chief Precious Enwuruka, in an interview with our Correspondent, said Komkom community was thrown into darkness for two years as a result of the issue between PHED and Afam community, noting that Komkom was a victim of circumstances, noting that the community generate about eighty million for PHED monthly deserves better power supply.
“We were thrown into darkness for two years for a thing we know nothing about. PHED was having issues with Okoloma (Afam) community not our area, our people here pays electricity bills every month they about eighty million from this our community, Afam does not electricity bills.
“In the cause of their trouble, PHED said there is no way they will not give Afam light without it extending to our area, so we became a victim of circumstance that was what we faced these years.”
