A Human Rights group, the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network, CRRAN, has petitioned the Minister of Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on the infringement on the rights of the people of Isi-Uzo local government by the Enugu state by the Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, for throwing the entire communities in the council area and beyond into darkness for unsubstantiated reason.

 In a petition it made available to newsmen in Enugu, CRRAN, noted that the entire communities of Isi-Uzo LGA, including other communities in‎ Enugu, Ebonyi, Benue and Kogi states were thrown into darkness since June 8 2017 for alleged misunderstanding between the EEDC staff and some protesting youths in Eha-Amufu community.

 The Human rights group said that what the EEDC did amounted to violation of rights of innocent electricity consumers who were not preview to the alleged misunderstanding between EEDC and Eha-Amufu youths.

 President of CRRAN, Mr. Olu Omotayo in the petition to the Power minister and copied to EEDC said ‎ that the distribution company has no legal right to disconnect any local government or community from the National grid.

 Omotayo said: "It should be noted that the act of the electricity company in
punishing innocent Nigerians of this area has not only led to closure of majority of businesses in the area but has also affected the well being of these Nigerians.

 "We submit that the action of the electricity company is not only unlawful but is barbaric and criminal; as such should not be tolerated in any decent society.

 "The company has no legal right to disconnect any local government or
community from the National Grid. If there is attack on staff of the company, appropriate security agency ought to be reported to for proper investigation and bring culprits to book but not for the company to resort to self help and take law into its’ hands.

 "We therefore urge you to prevail on the company to restore electricity‎ to Isi-Uzo Local Government and its’ environs within the next 48 hours failure of which we shall approach court of competent jurisdiction to challenge this infamous and dastardly act.‎"

 EEDC Head of Communications, Mr. Emeka Eze said that until Eha-Amufu community pays for the cost of damage and sign an undertaking against further occurrence, power would not be restored in the areas.

 ‎It was gathered that a clash between EEDC and some protesting Eha-Amufu youths ensued over the insensitivity of EEDC in issuing residents outrageous bills that do not match their power consumption; flagrant disconnection of electricity supply, among other excesses of the company.

 After the protest, the EEDC allegedly went to Nkalagu sub-station in Ebonyi state and isolated the area.

 Unfortunately, Nkalagu sub-station‎ supplies power to many parts of Enugu state such as Isi-Uzo, Udenu, Igboeze North, Igboeze South and parts of Nsukka Local Government Areas.

 Also affected by the disconnection were parts of Ebonyi, Kogi and Benue states that derive their power supply through the Nkalagu sub-station.

 The residents of the Local Government said all efforts made their leaders and well meaning Nigerians were rebuffed by the electricity company as it demanded that until N3.5 million Naira was paid to the company for the damaged ladders, tables and chairs in the company’s office in Eha-Amufu, electricity will not be restored to the area.