By Ibebe Rufus
LAGOS AUGUST 2ND (URHOBOTODAY)-The Nigeria army has averted what could have led to a communal clash between two Urhobo communities of Ekiugbo and Erhuemukohwarien in Ughelli North LGA over issue of blackout.
The Arny, Urhobotoday gathered also assisted in to restore light to Ekiugbo Community and other Ughelli environ within two hours after staying in darkness for over five days.
Angered by Erhuemukohwarien youths obstruction of provision of light to Ekiugbo as a result of their refusal to pay light bill to Transcorp, the youths of Ekiugbo community had gathered as early as 6:30 am on Wednesday (30/07/2014) and angered by Erhuemukohwarien youths obstruction of provision of light to their area as a result of their refusal to pay light bill to Transcorp had vowed to restore the light against all odds.
The angry Ekiugbo youths who were singing war songs and at the verge of clashing Erhruemukohwarien youths were however stopped by Nigeria army who were on patrol at the the outskirt of Ekiugbo community. They were asked to go back with the promise that they would take up the case from there.
One of the army who pleaded not to have his name mentioned, told the youths that going to Erhuemukohwarien can result in a communal fight that would result in the loss of lives and property. He therefore, asked the angry youths to go back to their homes and promise they (Army) would go to Erhuemukohwarien and see how they can restore the light within two hours.
The armies then went with some of Ekiugbo community leaders to Erhuemukohwarien and within two hours, light was restore in Ekiugbo community.
It would be recalled that Ekiugbo community has be thrown into darknesss for the past five days as a result of misunderstanding between indigenes of the communities and Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc responsible for generating electricity in the area.
The three host communities namely Erhuemukohwarien, Ekrerhavwe and Ekakpamre have refused to pay light bills and the refusal of the host communities to yield to the request of the management of Transcorp had resulted in the company not distributing power to the above mentioned communities and their neighbouring communities.