Work is set to begin immediately on restoring damaged power infrastructure in Eleme Local Government Area as the council unveils a comprehensive three-point strategy to tackle the crippling electricity crisis plaguing the area.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Eleme Local Government Council, Mr. Chinwi Ate, said the initiative followed an Executive Council meeting that placed power supply at the top of the administration’s agenda.
According to the statement, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, announced the move aimed at ending the prolonged blackouts affecting key communities, including Ogale, Agbonchia, and Ebubu, while addressing chronic issues of poor supply and unfair billing.
The Chairman stated that the crisis escalated after natural disasters felled several electricity poles, which vandals then exploited, destroying a total of 33 poles amid a slow response from the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED).
“The Local Government has commenced an independent assessment of the damaged facilities with a view to replacing them promptly this week,” Chief Ollor stated.
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“In the short and medium term, the council will repair and replace the affected infrastructure, install boundary meters on the 11KVA and 33KVA lines to accurately measure power consumption and prevent over-billing. Plans are also underway to enhance the council’s electricity subsidy scheme to ease the burden on residents, who have been urged to pay their bills promptly to sustain improvements.
According to the statement, the Eleme Local Government Council has opened talks with the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne for a partnership on power infrastructure upgrades.
Chief Ollor said the council is targeting full mass metering of households and businesses using prepaid systems to eliminate estimated billing, including upgrading facilities from 11KVA to 33KVA capacity, settling outstanding liabilities, and pursuing increased power allocation to Eleme, including the possibility of direct power purchase.
Chief Ollor expressed frustration that Eleme, classified as an urban area by PHED, continues to receive substandard supply while residents are billed at premium Band A rates.
He warned that failure by PHED to rectify the situation would prompt the council to petition the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for intervention.
The Chairman called on community leaders, multinational companies, and stakeholders to support the drive for reliable electricity, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to practical solutions that will boost residents’ welfare and economic growth.
