Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin Electricity Protest, Promises Stakeholder Meeting On BEDC Fracas













Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin Electricity Protest, Promises Stakeholder Meeting On BEDC Fracas 

By Editor 

Governor Monday Okpebholo on Monday joined youths and residents at Ring Road in Benin City protesting the lingering blackout and billing concerns linked to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), urging calm while promising swift stakeholder engagement.

Addressing the crowd, the governor expressed solidarity with the demonstrators, noting that electricity challenges cut across all segments of the state.

“I was just passing by and saw people gathered here at Ring Road. I stopped to find out what the issue was, and they said you were protesting. I said, yes, we are all youths, and I have come to join you,” he said.

Okpebholo added that any form of short-changing Edo residents affects the entire state. “When we talk about short-changing Edo people, it affects all of us — our parents in the villages, our brothers and sisters in the cities, and everyone standing here. Why should anyone frustrate Edo people?” he asked.

The governor clarified that BEDC is privately owned and not directly controlled by the state government but assured that concrete steps would be taken to address the concerns raised.

“The only way we can fight this is to bring new investors into the business of distribution. We will break the monopoly. We want to operate like the telecom sector where you have alternatives. Bringing in more investors will give our people options,” he stated.

He announced that a stakeholders’ meeting would be held on Tuesday and urged the protesters to nominate five representatives to participate.

“We need to engage them to see how we can bring in more investors into the business of electricity distribution. Once that is done, we will all be more assured of stable power. Let us remain calm and allow the engagement to take place,” the governor appealed.

The protesters had converged on Ring Road, a major hub in the heart of Benin City, before proceeding with the demonstration. Carrying banners with inscriptions such as “We say no to BEDC oppression,” “No light, no bill,” and “Edo people say no to bulk billing,” the demonstrators decried persistent outages, estimated billing, and the high cost of prepaid meters.

Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel, who spoke on behalf of the group, said residents across Edo State were compelled to protest what he described as oppressive practices by the distribution company.

“We pay for light and they give us darkness,” he said, questioning the transparency of the company’s free meter distribution scheme.

He challenged BEDC to publish the names of beneficiaries, noting that meters reportedly cost between ₦150,000 and ₦400,000.

The protest remained peaceful, with security personnel maintaining order as demonstrators dispersed after the governor’s address. As of press time, BEDC had not issued an official response to the allegations.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Benue Village Names Cemetery After President Tinubu For Helping Killers’ Herders In Protest

Image
Benue Village Names Cemetery After President Tinubu For Helping Killers’ Herders In Protest  By Editor  YELWATA community in Benue State has erected a signpost reading “Tinubu Cemetery” in protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s insensitivity for slumbering the community during his visit to the state capital, Makurdi. It would be recalled over 200 people were killed in the midnight attacks on the 14th of this month, which lasted for several hours without intervention from the nation’s docile security agencies. The signpost is a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with residents demanding action and accountability for the government’s failure to protect its citizens. The protesters are citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” They are calling for the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens and bring...
Read more

Philanthropist Offers Scholarship To Secondary School Students In Ekiti

Image
Philanthropist Offers Scholarship To Secondary School Students In Ekiti  By Editor  A philanthropist, Dr Oluwadare Owolabi, has offered scholarships for students across some secondary schools in Ekiti State. The scholarships of N100,000 each were offered to the outstanding students in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science, Economics and Mathematics subjects across three schools. No fewer than 17 students from Igogo Commercial High School, Igogo-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area (LGA), Ayede Grammar School, Ayede-Ekiti, in Oye LGA and Odo Oro High School, Odo Oro Ekiti in Ikole LGA, benefited from the annual scholarship award. Owolabi while addressing the students and teachers at the ceremony on Thursday noted that the gesture was his own way of assisting the students, especially the indigents, in pursuing their education careers without any form of hindrance. He explained that the gesture would go a long way to encourage the students towards adding valu...
Read more

Senator Neda Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements

Image
Senator Neda Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Neda Imasuen has appealed to farmers not to sell their farm tools and implements given to them, but make good use of it to enable them sustained their families, and the nation at large. The federal lawmaker said the essence of the event in his own little way is to reduce the price of food in the market by empowering his constituents of being farmers and producers more food. He appealed to the farmers to pay proper attention to the various speakers at the programme and ensure they make good use of the knowledge they acquire during the training. Senator Neda Imasuen gave the advice at a training organised for his constituent members in Benin city, Edo state warned the farmers not to sell the farm implements and tools ensure they make good use of the opportunity. " This items we are giving you, some ...
Read more