Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has ordered the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to restore electricity supply to all disconnected communities in the state within 48 hours.
The governor who expressed dismay over the high tariff the company charges electricity consumers in the state, gave this order when he met with management of the electricity distribution firm in Benin, Friday.
Oshiomhole who described as “arrogant” the services being provided by the way the BEDC in Edo, especially as it relates to the issue of power supply and billing high bills, declared that henceforth, the state government will protest its citizens against “criminal” bills and poor services being provided by the company.
He also vowed to prosecute the company, should they continue to extort the people through high bills without corresponding services.
“Even the arrogance in which you respond to consumers complaints, especially against the growing darkness and rising bills.
“It is absolutely unacceptable in a civilise society.
“That because you are a private monopoly, you criminally resort to tactics which are meant to destroy the economy of this state, make life miserable to families and children and create such confusion that if not arrested, you will not be able to survive in the state.
“In different part of the state, when protesters raise concern which you cannot fault, knowing that you have not invest in the provision of transformers, and therefore in many cases, they are in the dark for weeks, months.
“Even the few places you provide light, maybe for 3 hours a day, you charge bills that is high as 30 hours a day.
“When they protest, you arrogantly disconnect them. As we speak, Auchi and environs, like so many other communities have been disconnected as a result. In these places, businesses that the people rely on for survival have been paralyzed.
“As governor of the state, I have had cause to appropriate public funds to provide transformers and other facilities that you ought to have provided.
“Government has no business buying transformers which is part of the cost which the distribution company should take on board. We use taxpayers’ money to buy transformers, with or without power supply.
“I hear that you have shut down power supply because people protested in a manner that you do not approve of, you abused your power by disconnecting them.
“If you abuse your power like that and I respond the same way; I have the power to revoke your certificate of occupancy or the property you have in Edo state.
“You will not be able to do business in Edo without the approval of the state government. Don’t carry on with the assumption that state and the people are helpless; we are only trying to accommodate you. I have appealed, I have sermonized, I have held meetings with you at the highest level.
“The civil society which serves as the conscience of the people, have taken time to engage you as much as any provoked man can do, in what qualifies as peaceful protest, and the response of your company has been very arrogant.
“I have had enough and I am right now ready for every misbehaviour you make, I will respond accordingly,” declared Oshiomhole.
Responding, state state’s head of the BEDC, Mr Fidelis Obishia told the governor of the challenges of the company which he listed to include, shortage of meters supply as well as lower allocation of electricity from the generating companies.
