Reaction has continued to trail last weekend’s shutdown of electricity supply in Imo State.
NewsBits recalls that over 40 security personnel, allegedly under the instruction of the Imo State Government had stormed the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, office in the state and forced staff on duty to switch off power. It was also reported that the staff was taken away and held hostage till in the evening when he was brought back and ordered to restore power at gunpoint.
Ever since the incident, accusing fingers have been pointed at Orashi Electricity Company Ltd, with some highly placed persons said to be part owners of the company. The company has remained mute.
A group, under the aegis of the South East Political Watchdog, has now asked the Nigerian Government to initiate adequate investigation to unravel those behind what it called national sabotage.
The group also questioned the licence given to Orashi Electricity Company Ltd by the Imo State Government through the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC), noting that such should be thoroughly investigated. According to the group, available documents allegedly showed that the company was issued a licence less than 50 days after its registration.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Chief Dr. Charles Ogbu and sent to newsmen in Enugu on Friday, the organisation fingered some top officials of the Imo State Government in the activities that birthed both the company and its licence issuance.
The group further alleged that Orashi Electricity Company Ltd had repeatedly destroyed TCN and Transpower equipment.
“The constant damage to federal and distribution infrastructure has directly contributed to the prolonged blackout that has crippled homes, businesses, and essential services across Imo State.
“There are strong indications that the operations of Orashi Electricity Company Ltd are now posing a direct threat to federal assets, especially after the alleged invasion of the TCN transmission station in Egbu, which pushed Imo State into total darkness,” the statement claimed.
The statement explained that the use of armed personnel to compel power shutdown raises wider security concerns.
“No private company has the authority to deploy force, intimidate workers, or disrupt public electricity supply in a manner that affects the wellbeing of an entire state,” it stated.
It further questioned the ownership structure of the company, claiming that “the profiles of the individuals listed as major shareholders do not align with the financial capacity required to own a large electricity business, and this gap continues to fuel suspicion among residents.”
“The speed at which ISERC approved the company’s operations suggests that due diligence was either compromised or completely ignored, which makes a full investigation unavoidable,” the group claimed further.
The South East Political Watchdog urged federal agencies, civil society groups, and other regulatory bodies to take urgent steps to protect electricity consumers in Imo State and ensure that no private outfit operates above the law.
NewsBits reports that nearly one week after the incident, neither the Imo State Government nor the management of Orashi Electricity Company Ltd has issued any statement.
