Disconnection: Bayelsa youths attack PHEDC officials

THE Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company has confirmed that six of its personnel and three policemen attached to the company were attacked in different parts of Bayelsa State by youths.

PHEDC said youths attacked its personnel on debt recovery and in some communities.

The Business Service Manager, Pere Alazigha, according to the PHEDC, was given a machete cut and left in his pool of blood by the youths.

One of the officials of PHEDC, identified as Christian Umegbewe, was allegedly pushed down from the ladder by the youths during the disconnection process.

The Chief Operating Officer, PHED, Kingsley Achife, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday by the Protocol Officer, Corporate Communication, Sophilia Obire.

Achife stated that the security operatives attached to them while on a disconnection exercise were attacked by some residents of Epie community of Bayelsa.

The statement read, “The attack, which was spearheaded by youths, resulted in injury to three policemen; the Business Service Manager, Pere Alazigha; a linesman, Christian Umegbewe, and other staff members involved in the disconnection exercise.

“While Alazigha was left with a machete cut on his body, Umegbewe was pushed down from the ladder by the youths during the disconnection process. Both of them were immediately hospitalised.

“PHEDC will not relent in its commitment towards serving our paying customers and this we hope to achieve by ensuring that customers pay for energy consumed.”

He appealed to the public to desist from attacking his organisation officials.