Service delivery: SNGPL staff scared off by protesting consumers

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Hundreds of residents of Dera Ghazi Khan on Wednesday protested against gas load shedding in front of the office of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL).

Residents of Bihari Colony and Faridabad Colony gathered at Quetta Road and blocked it for traffic.

They then walked to the SNGPL office and surrounded it.

The protesters chanted slogans against the SNGPL and some women broke into the office, forcing staff to flee from the scene.

Talking to newsmen, Azra Bibi said residents had been facing gas load shedding for four years.

“Gas pressure is so low throughout the day that it is impossible to even boil water,” she said.

“The pressure returns to normal late at night, when we have no need for it,” she added.

She said residents had complained to the SNGPL many times and had appealed to lawmakers to look into the issue but no action had been taken to address their problems.

Ghadai station house officer Malik Abid led a police team to negotiate with the protesters. He assured them that the complaints would be investigated and addressed soon. The protesters then dispersed peacefully.

SNGPL Incharge Engineer Nazuk Sheikh told newsmen that a team had been formed to investigate complaints of the consumers.

He said a report would be submitted by them in 24 hours and action would be taken according to the recommendations of the report as soon as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2014.