Aba landlord threatens to protest disconnection of Aba Power by TCN, says it’s economic sabotage
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
Aba Landlord Protection and Development Association has asked the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to lift the disconnection order of Aba Power Limited (APL) Electrical from the National Grid with immediate effect.
The group in letter addressed to the market operator (TCN) Dr E. A EJE, which was made available to our correspondent on Friday accused TCN of non-compliance with the provisions of market rules of the electricity operation.
The letter which was signed by the chairman board of trustees (ALPADA) chief Leo Okoye, the president Alphonsus Udeigbo, and three others, stated that if TCN fails to lift the order, electricity consumers Aba will embark on a peaceful protest against the company.
Udeigbo, who read the letter before journalists, however lamented that households and businesses owners in Aba have lost over 30 billion naira since the city was thrown into darkness.
He revealed that many individuals had lost their lives as a result power failure in hospitals in the city, pointing out that the action of TCN came without a human face.
The statement reads in part, “It has come to come to our notice that your company disconnected power supplies to Aba and it’s environs by the Electricity Company Limited (APL) Electrical via a disconnection Order MO-DO/TCN/002/2023, on alleged ground of non-compliance with the provisions of the market rules.
“While it is not within our domain to question the reason for the disconnection order, however it is our firm believe that the said disconnection order was in total breach of the market rules.
“First,a suspension notice dated April 19, 2023 was issued APL Electrical requiring the company to remedy a default with 30 business days from the date of the suspension notice in line with sub rules 46.3.3 and 4 of the electricity industry market rules 2010.
“But curiously on the same date of the suspension notice the market operator wrote the executive director (TSP) TCN, notifying the said executive director that market operator hereby issues a disconnection Order for APL Electric for non compliance without copying or addressing the said disconnect the entire Aba and its environs from power supply.
“In the circumstances, we the Aba landlord protection and development Association on behalf of Electricity consumers within Aba and its environs hereby demand that you lift the said disconnection order MO-DO/TCN/002/2023, within 24 hours from the date of receipt of this demand letters having failed to comply by the market rules as well as the content of your suspension notice.
“Take note that in the event of your refusal to lift the order within the stipulated period as Electricity consumers who are now being made to suffer the consequences of your action by throwing us into darkness over one week now shall have no option than to embark on a peaceful protest to your office at Alaoji Aba and also inform the World through the media”.