NUJ Akwa Ibom chapter berates PHED billing system in the State

The Nigerian Union of journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, has condemned in strong terms, the Port Harcourt Electricity distribution Company, PHED for disconnecting and migrating some electricity users in the State from prepaid metering to the backward, exploitative estimated billing system, which is prone to unimaginable fraud.

This condemnation is contained in an 8-point communique issued at the end of its December, 2024, congress, held at the Union’s secretariat along information drive in Uyo the state capital.

The communique signed by Comrade Etimbuk Idiong, Ph.D Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee, Comrade Ikechukwu Agbamegbue Secretary, Comrade Idongesit Inyang Member, Comrade Amos Etuk State Chairman and Comrade Dominic Akpan State Secretary called on the Company to reverse the trend and ensure that metering of households in the State is expedited.

The report noted, “Congress seriously frowned at the obvious lack of interest to resolve the issue of disconnection of the NUJ Secretariat from the transformer by Atan Offot community despite several appeals.

” Congress resolved to take the matter to the appropriate level since PHED is not interested in resolving the issue of disconnection of the Union’s secretariat”, it stated.

The union during the Congress, commended the state Commissioner of Police C.P Joseph Eribo, for redeeming his pledge to the Council and beefing up security around the State.

NUJ congratulated Governor Umo Eno on his nomination as Governor of the Year, 2024, by the Leadership Newspaper.

The body also, “⁠Applauded the State Government for intensifying efforts in fixing failed portions of roads across the capital city to ensure free-flow of traffic and commuters’ experience during the Yuletide.  It also urged the contractor handling the Ikpa Road construction project to take full advantage of the dry season by ensuring its timely delivery”.

The Akwa Ibom State Council of the Union during the December congress as well congratulated the new Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Union led by the President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya and commended the State Secretary of the Union, Comrade Dominic Akpan for representing Zone F of the Union effectively at the 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Owerri”.