Tailors in Aba, the bustling commercial center of Abia State, took to the streets on Wednesday to voice their grievances against Aba Power Limited (APL), a subsidiary of Geometric Power, accusing the company of subjecting them to unjustified fees and harassment.
Despite experiencing irregular power supply from APL, the protestors claimed that the company was attempting to drive them out of business by imposing inflated bills.
Former Chairman of the Association of Tailors and Fashion Designers in the state, Mr. Onyebuchi Nwigwe, expressed dissatisfaction with APL’s actions, stating that their trade was being adversely affected.
Another tailor, Ikenna Agu, shared their frustration, highlighting that the company had resorted to using police officers and soldiers to intimidate them into making payments.
Agu recounted an incident where the company, accompanied by soldiers, forcefully disconnected their power lines and even physically assaulted some tailors and customers on their premises.
Agu called on the State Government to intervene promptly and hold the company accountable for its actions.
He pointed out the frustration of being billed for more shops than actually present in a block, adding to their dissatisfaction with APL’s conduct.
“How can I be paying N18,000 monthly in my small shop, when I don’t have up to 24 hours light in a month?
“They bring 38 bills in our own building which does not have 38 shops,” he said.
Also, Ugochukwu Iheme, another tailor said that “APL is making life miserable for them” and that the demonstration was meant to expose the fraud in the company.
Ebere Okoro highlighted the discrepancy in the bill, emphasizing that it did not reflect the energy they actually received.
Okoro called on the government to intervene and put an end to APL’s alleged extortion practices.
In response, Mr. Blessing Ogbe, the Chief Commercial Officer of APL, refuted the allegations, stating that the tailors’ clusters were connected to a highly active electricity feeder.
Ogbe clarified that the feeder provided service from 12pm to 6pm daily, dismissing claims of estimated billing.
He affirmed that APL adhered to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission’s capping order and challenged the tailors to verify the billing for the specific month.
Ogbe accused the tailors of attempting to manipulate the situation, alleging that some shops might have up to 30 people but were attempting to pay the bill for only three tailors.
He also emphasized that APL was open to dialogue and working to enhance power supply in the city.
Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, and Industry, Dr. Chimezie Okegwu, expressed unawareness of the protest and complaint from the tailors when reached for comment.
However, Okegwu pledged that the State Government would investigate the alleged extortion once an official report was submitted to the ministry.
He assured that the government would not tolerate any form of extortion affecting businesses and residents.
“Any extortion is illegal as long as it is truly extortion but another thing is for us to know if it is really extortion.
“It may be legitimate but a legitimate thing could also be done wrongly.
“We have to check if it is extortion or a legitimate fee, the timing and how it was done.
“One thing is very certain, that we are always on the side of the traders and our citizens.
“We are all out to alleviate their pains rather then increase their burden.
“We also have to understand that the DisCo is in business to make profit but I always tell them that they must not maximise that profit.
“Make it in a way that it will be suitable and moderate for all and that is why we will step in,” Okegwu said.
