Residents of Millennium City in Kaduna State have called for urgent intervention by the state government and electricity regulators after Kaduna Electric disconnected power supply to the estate, leaving the community without electricity since Saturday.
The Ministerial Plot Housing Estate Residents Association (MPHERA) said the blackout has affected more than 500 residents, including hospitals and patients, while raising concerns about security within the community.
In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna, MPHERA Chairman, Shafik Muazu Shira, said residents supported reliable electricity supply and proper metering but objected to what he described as the proposed blanket replacement of existing electricity meters.
According to him, an Electricity Committee was established to help safeguard the integrity of electricity supply in Millennium City while protecting the interests of both consumers and Kaduna Electric.
Shira urged the electricity distribution company to allow an ongoing court case over the dispute to run its course and avoid actions that could further complicate the matter.
He described the decision to disconnect the entire community over objections to the metering exercise as excessive and called for urgent intervention by the relevant authorities.
The residents also expressed concerns about a proposal to install electricity meters on distribution poles, insisting that any such installation must comply with applicable regulations and technical standards set by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
Shira said NEMSA had previously carried out an independent technical verification of meters in the affected estates and identified some that required replacement or further action.
He urged Kaduna Electric to implement NEMSA’s recommendations and consult residents before carrying out any approved meter replacement exercise.
The association said residents and community structures in Millennium City had worked with Kaduna Electric for nearly a decade, providing support and infrastructure that helped facilitate electricity distribution within the communities.
Shira appealed to the company to resume discussions with residents and seek a mutually acceptable solution instead of maintaining the disconnection.
The prolonged blackout, according to the residents, has heightened security concerns, particularly at night, with the absence of street and household lighting potentially exposing residents and their property to criminal activity.
They also said the affected area includes hospitals and patients who depend on electricity for essential services, further increasing the impact of the outage.
The residents appealed to Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to intervene and persuade Kaduna Electric to restore power pending the determination of the court case and the completion of relevant regulatory processes.
They also called on NERC and NEMSA to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disconnection and ensure that consumers’ rights and interests are protected.
MPHERA said residents remained willing to engage Kaduna Electric and the state government in dialogue, maintaining that they sought a lawful and peaceful resolution to the dispute.
The association urged all parties to exercise restraint, respect the judicial process and prioritise the safety and welfare of residents, businesses and essential facilities in Millennium City.
