Angry youths from Oyigbo Local Government Area has occupied the Afam power plant in Rivers State to protest recent policy by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution company to commence collection of electricity tariff from the host community.
The youths numbering over one hundred invaded the major power plant and chased away technicians and security men attached to the complex.
One of the protesting youths who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were devasted to observe that the power company had gone back on an earlier agreement.
“This station Afam 1 was commissioned in 1962, from then till 2006 was when we had light. Now the President as it were , said that these people that have suffered in the midst of plenty , they have not even seen light and they are exporting light, that they will pay” he stated.
He said, that agreement had been thrown to the wind and the community has suffered economically despite providing the base for the supply of electricity to other parts of Port Harcourt.
He warned that except youths were given employment and other benefits, the gas plant will remain closed.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesman of the Port Harcourt distribution company, Mr. John Onyi has called on the Rivers State Government and security agencies to intervene to enable the company commence distribution of electricity.
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