Protest Rocks UNIBEN Over Non Availability Of Power









Protest Rocks UNIBEN Over Non Availability Of Power



Some aggrieve students of University of Benin (UNIBEN) Wednesday took over the Benin-Lagos expressway to kick against the continued power outage and lack of water at the tertiary institution.

It would be recalled that the management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) recently cut off power supply to the school following the controversial hike in the monthly bill from N80 million to N250 million, an action which the spokesperson, Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen insisted was in line with the recent nod by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission to distribution companies to jerk up their tariffs.

The angry students, who defied the rain, chanted solidarity songs, demanding the immediate resolution of the problem so that power can be restored to their hostels and water pumped.

Besides, they also kicked against the recent hike of transport fare from Ugbowo Campus to downtown Ring Road and New Benin by drivers.

There was a vehicular hold up along the ever busy expressway due to the protest by the students, who passionately pleaded with the authorities to  immediately address their grievances.

One of the protesters, who simply gave his name as Sony lamented the plight of the students, adding that they now trek long distance outside the campus to fetch water and charge their mobile phones and rechargeable lanterns.

Sony wailed that there could be an outbreak of diseases in the halls of residence as the toilets are in a terrible mess, noting that many students now stay for days without taking their baths just as others now resort to rain water to get by.

He continued: "The authorities should find a solution to our plight. We're suffering. There is no light in the hostel. The taps have ceased flowing because there is no electricity to power the boreholes.  

"Students now spend precious time going to neighbouring communities in search of water and places to charge their mobile phones and rechargeable lanterns. The authorities should please resolve the problem."

The school's spokesperson, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire had faulted Mrs. Gbiwen, noting that the heart of the matter has to do with the sudden and astronomical increase in the monthly bill by BEDC, noting that the institution had before now promptly paid its electricity bill before the increase.

Mrs. Ehanire however appealed for calm, disclosing that a meeting of the University Senate was ongoing in a determined effort to resolve the problem once and for all.

Mrs. Ehanire said,“The management is aware of the students’ grievances and is working tirelessly to find a lasting solution to the power outage

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