Aba residents lament estimated billing

Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), has lamented the negative effects of the estimated billing issued to residents by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

Joining their voice with ACCIMA, residents of the commercial city urged the Abia State government to urgently look into why the Geometric Power Plant is yet to start distribution of electricity metres.

Speaking to newsmen in Aba, ACCIMA President, Sir Lawrence Obetta, said that it will be good for the EEDC to be invited to Aba business summit to explain why they are using estimated billing in the state.

"It's good that Geometric Power will be discussed. It's very important because without electricity, industries will never function properly.

"I want them to be part of this programme so that they can tell us why they're trying to kill people in Aba with estimated bills.

"The metres they're supposed to distribute, we're not seeing any again. They need to come to the programme to tell us something. We need to access energy to help industrial growth," he said.

Some of the residents, who expressed their anger at the poor services of the EEDC, said that it is disheartening that the much talked-about agreement signed between the EEDC and the Geometric Power Ltd is yet to take effect.

Emeka Izuagba, a dealer in iced fish, said that estimated billing has made life unbearable for business owners and entrepreneurs in Aba.