From Ben Dunno, Warri
Concerned over the dilemma of electricity consumers in the going dispute between power sector stakeholders, Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), has urged Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to obey court injunction restraining take over of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
BEDC is one of the distribution companies that supplies electricity to consumers in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states.
CDHR National President, Mr. Kehinde Prince Taiga, said the appeal had become imperative in the interest of electricity customers in the affected states who are now suffering the consequences of the action by the regulatory bodies, adding that consumers have been thrown into confusion on who to officially deal with on issues of electricity supply in their areas.
Making the stand of the body known at a Press Conference held in Warri, at the weekend, the Rights group emphasized the need for all the parties involved to maintain status quo based on the interim court injunction, pending the determination of a substantive suit before a competent court of jurisdiction presently hearing the case.
The CDHR alleged that BPE and NERC had failed to follow due process before weilding the big stick on the board of BEDC.
The group insisted that the BEDC Managing Director, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, should continue to fuction in her capacity as the MD until the court adjudicates on the matter.