Former Senator Ishaku Abbo has given the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) 48 hours to restore electricity supply to affected parts of Karewa in Yola, Adamawa State, following a prolonged outage reportedly caused by the vandalisation of a transformer.
Abbo, in a statement personally signed by him and addressed to YEDC, he accused the distribution company of negligence and demanded urgent action to restore power to residents of the affected communities.
The former senator said he initially approached YEDC privately in an attempt to resolve the matter without public confrontation. However, he said the continued blackout had made it necessary to publicly demand an explanation and immediate intervention.
Abbo also questioned the practice of communities being asked to contribute funds towards the repair or replacement of transformers, electricity poles and other distribution equipment.
He cited provisions published by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), stating that electricity customers and communities are generally not responsible for purchasing, replacing or repairing transformers, poles and other distribution assets owned by electricity distribution companies, except where customers are proven to have wilfully damaged such equipment.
According to Abbo, residents of Karewa had been without electricity for about one week following the reported vandalisation of the transformer serving the area.
He said that after contacting YEDC officials, he was informed that a request for replacement equipment had been forwarded internally but had yet to be resolved.
The former senator described the delay as unacceptable and demanded that YEDC explain why residents had remained without electricity despite the reported notification of the fault.
Abbo further disclosed that he was formally drawing the attention of NERC and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to the matter, seeking investigation and enforcement of applicable electricity and consumer protection regulations.
NERC’s published consumer rights provide for customers’ right to electricity supplied in a safe and reliable manner, as well as the right to lodge complaints and have them investigated through established channels.
The regulator also provides an escalation process through the DisCo’s Customer Complaints Unit, NERC Consumer Forum and, where necessary, NERC.
The FCCPC similarly provides consumer protection mechanisms covering issues including electricity service interruptions, billing and complaints.
Abbo therefore demanded that YEDC repair or replace the affected equipment and restore electricity to the affected parts of Karewa within 48 hours.
He warned that affected consumers could explore available regulatory and legal remedies, including claims for damages where such claims are established under the law.
The statement was signed by Senator Ishaku Abbo, identified as Governor, Adamawa State 2027, and Leader, Labour Party, Adamawa State.
Trim repeated regulatory explanations
Attribute legal claims more carefully
Lead with the outage and deadline