SNGPL official claims the utility is owed Rs8 billion by consumers. PHOTO: FILE
He was talking to the media in the wake of a shutter-down strike, which entered its third day on Wednesday. The strike is being observed by traders, shopkeepers, hotel owners and bakers in protest against low gas pressure.
Rehan insisted the consumers in the district were being provided 5% extra pressure. “The dilapidated pipe laid across the district is the main reason for wastage of 10% of the gas,” he said.
The official revealed the SNGPL had incurred Rs480 million in losses because of theft and illegal connections, adding the utility is owed dues amounting to Rs8 billion since its inception.
Rehan said a gas connection would not be provided to anyone from an illegally laid pipeline. “How can we allow a connection from a line which was created illegally, given the huge losses that we are already facing?” he questioned.
The official claimed SNGPL did not lower the gas pressure for consumers; it was the illegal connections and gas wastage which caused the issue.
Meanwhile, a wheel-jam strike was also observed in the remaining district causing inconvenience to residents. Protesters gathered at Saddam Chowk in the morning and chanted slogans against the SNGPL and the district administration for not redressing their long-standing issue.
The protesters also blocked the Indus Highway for nearly six hours.
Later, Deputy Commissioner Aqal Badshah and officials from SNGPL held talks with a 10-member committee formed by the protesters and convinced them to call off the strike.
The officials assured the protesters they would be provided with a full pressure gas supply. However, the protesters only agreed to postpone their strike until Monday and threatened to resume it if their demands were not met.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2013.
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