The Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has called on the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company to restore electricity to communities in Afikpo North Local Government Area on or before Monday.

Governor Umahi made the appeal at Government House Abakaliki when the management and board of the EEDC led by their Chairman, Chief Emeka Offor, paid him a courtesy call.

The governor noted that the people of Afikpo North had shown remorse over the attacks by their youths on EEDC facilities and personnel two months ago.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the humility demonstrated by Chief Offor in handling the disagreement between the state government and the electricity distribution company, over billing.

The governor said the government was being billed N35 million monthly as against N18 million.

He also stressed that “Ebonyi people had suffered so much in the hands of the EEDC over the issue of metering,” and enjoined the company to supply meters to consumers in the state without further delay.

Umahi however promised that his government would give the company 100 percent cooperation in recovering the debts owed by some individuals, and institutions hitherto paid for by the state government.

The governor, who disclosed that the government had procured 25 transformers for the Abakaliki Urban, urged the company to refund the cost of the transformers and all other funds invested in the sector.

He assured that the government would pay for any electricity consumed saying: “If we consume electricity, we must pay.”

The governor appealed to the people of the state to pay their bills and to continue to be patient with the company as it had promised that the problem of metering would be over soon.

He stated that the government would soon meet with the Chairmen of Local Government Areas to work out ways of protecting EEDC facilities across the state, from vandalism and theft.

The governor added that a bill would soon be sent to the state House of Assembly to that effect.

Earlier, Offor said his team was in the state to solicit the support of the government in the operations of the company and to resolve all areas of disagreement between them.

“From today onwards, we will make sure that we do things together as partners in business,” he added, assuring that the EEDC would not engage in anything that was capable of defrauding the government.

He said that the company would by December, roll out its plan for metering in the state.

The EEDC boss appealed to the governor to assist the company talk to the people on the need to protect EEDC facilities against theft and vandalism.

The Managing Director of EEDC, Mr. Robert Dickerman, assured the governor that electricity supply would be restored in Afikpo North LGA before Monday next week.

He also promised improved power supply to all parts of the state.

•Photo shows EEDC Chairman, Emeka Offor.