Residents of the Ministerial Housing Estate, located in Mallum, Ardo Kola Local Government Area of Taraba, have threatened to sue the Yola Electricity Distribution Company for disconnecting them from electricity supply.

Chairman of the residents, Markus Ayuba, who complained on Tuesday in Jalingo that the blackout was posing a serious economic setback and
security threats to the residents.

Mr Ayuba said that the estate, which was connected to a 33 kVA power line, was changed to 11 KVA.

He said that the change affected many residents, causing a reduction in their electricity supply from 20 hours a day to four hours, without any cogent reason.

He said that the leadership of the estate had reported to the YEDC office in Jalingo for amicable resolution of the issue.

He, however, said that the company sent the residents away, accusing them of assaulting their staff while on duty.

Mr Ayuba said that the residents did not attack the staff, adding that the alleged attack did not take place within the estate nor its neighbourhood.

The chairman said that the community had already taken legal steps by serving the company with a pre-action notice.

According to Mr Ayuba, if YEDC fails to respond, the community will have no option but to proceed to court and seek redress.

Mr Ayuba said, “Its decision to disconnect us without the requisite notice and the resulting damage the disconnection has caused our people amounts to a breach of contract on their part against us. As residents fully metered, we are entitled to immediate restoration of power supply under 33KVA, an apology, and compensation. The YEDC should know that there is a contract between us and both parties are supposed to comply with contractual obligations, except where there is an unforeseen event that will make it difficult to perform the contract. And in our own case, there is no justifiable reason for the breach, and they even did it with impunity, despite our efforts to seek a peaceful settlement.  Having said that, we have given the company another window to restore our electricity from now to Wednesday, or we shall be left with no option but to proceed to court to seek redress.’’

The communities disconnected include Ministerial Pilot Housing Estate, Phase 1 and 2, National Grain Reserve Agency, and The Taraba Television (TTV).

Others include Taraba State Investment (Cucumber), College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Taraba State University, National Correctional Service, Mallum community and Bakin Dutse community.

Contacted, Head of Information in the YEDC, Blessing Tunoh, said that the company operates within the law and regulations.

“We operate with transparency and accountability, guided by regulatory and electricity laws. Our recent Jalingo town hall meeting educated customers on complaints resolution mechanisms and redress systems, which we will encourage them to utilise,” Ms Tunoh said. 

(NAN)