Jalingo, April 21, 2025
By Newspointer
Tensions are rising in Taraba State as residents of the Ministerial Housing Estate in Mallum, Ardo Kola Local Government Area have accused the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) of illegally disconnecting them from electricity supply without prior notice.
Addressing journalists in Jalingo on Monday, the Chairman of the residents’ association, Mr. Markus Ayuba, described the disconnection as arbitrary and a violation of customer rights, saying it has triggered economic hardship and posed a serious security threat to residents.
Ayuba explained that the community, initially connected to a 33KVA power line extending from Taraba State University to Sunkani, was downgraded to an 11KVA line without explanation—reducing their electricity supply from 20 hours to just four hours daily.
“We discovered the change in our power supply and took our complaint to the YEDC office in Jalingo. Despite several visits, we received no formal response. Instead, we were accused of being complicit in the assault of a YEDC staff member—a claim we vehemently deny,” Ayuba said.
He stated that no such incident occurred within or near the estate and challenged YEDC to provide evidence or involve law enforcement if a genuine assault had taken place.
The community, he said, has now served YEDC with a pre-action notice dated April 15, giving the company 30 days to restore electricity or face legal action.
Ayuba also cited the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Customer Protection Regulations, which stipulate that customers must be given a three-month notice before disconnection. He accused the company of breaching its contractual obligations.
“Our demand is simple: immediate restoration of power on the 33KVA line, a formal apology, and appropriate compensation for damages suffered due to the unlawful disconnection,” he stated.
The disconnection has affected several key institutions and neighborhoods, including the Ministerial Housing Estate (Phases 1 & 2), National Strategic Grain Reserve, Taraba Television (TTV), Taraba State Investment (Cucumber Project), College of Agriculture, Taraba State University, National Correctional Service, and the Mallum and Bakin Dutse communities.
In response, YEDC’s Head of Information, Mrs. Blessing Tunoh, insisted that the company operates within the framework of Nigerian electricity laws and regulations. She encouraged customers to utilize available complaint and redress mechanisms as discussed during a recent town hall meeting in Jalingo.
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