Restore Energy To The Complex Stakeholders Tell Calabar EPZ Management

The Calabar Export Processing Zone (EPZ), stakeholders has tasked the Management to urgently restore electricity to the complex which has been thrown into utter darkness following the inability of the management to meet its financial obligations.

The EPZ  findings reveal was thrown into darkness following its inability to meet its obligations to Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc, the DISCO supplying energy to the EPZ Community.

According to a source close to the Calabar EPZ trouble began when the EPZ started under paying for their electricity consumption on the pretence that they doubt the integrity of the PHED metering.
It was at this pont that NEMSA – Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, was invited to check the accuracy of the metering, and following NEMSA’s report, a reconciliation was done and a demand was made on the EPZ for the outstanding payments.
Despite the report confirming the accuracy of the PHED meter reading and the reconciliation achieved by NEMSA, the EPZ has refused to pay the outstanding arrears of N71,965,299 owed PHED.                                        Consequently  the complex was disconnected, leaving the entire EPZ community in total darkness, and despite several entreaties made to the EPZ, they are yet to make payment due to mismanagement and alleged internal fraud rocking the organisation.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the complex have begun agitating; describing the situation as worrisome and very disturbing.
Some who spoke to our correspondent on anonymous grounds berated the management of the EPZ for subjecting them to such harrowing experience.

They wandered how they can remain in business and production, let alone make profit when a major ingredient of production is lacking.
They therefore called on the management of the EPZ to urgently resolve issues with PHED by paying the power supply company that has over the year made life and business good for them, noting that they are confident once the issues are resolved, power will be restored to the complex without further delays.