Managing Director of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibodu, has said that the business of power supply would no longer be business as usual, hence, she said for customers to enjoy maximum benefit from the electricity supply company, customers must pay 100 percent of their bills for effective service delivery.

Mrs. Osibodu said the business of power supply was capital intensive, noting that the presence of power in some areas and absence in others was due to lack of funds to provide power to all consumers across the zone concurrently.

The MD was speaking during a media chat on the plan for a proposed tariff review and to provide up to date information on the success so far recorded with select journalists in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Thursday.

Represented by one of the Directors, Engr. Albert Esenabhalu, Mrs. Osibobu said the proposed tariff review was aimed at ensuring that consumers have more power supply while paying their bills regularly.

She said: “There is no profit in the business. No money to pay staff, buy diesel and invest. We are supposed to chase Nigerians with power but lack of funds and unwillingness of consumers to pay their bills is our greatest challenge.

“Customers are at the tail end of the plan. They must pay 100 percent of their bills to achieve maximum benefits. Unless the cost of power is reviewed and make every consumer their bills, only the few paying will continue to bear the burden for others.”

She listed various losses being incurred by the company saying the failure of consumers to pay their bills was the major challenge confronting the company in achieving maximum power supply.

On accumulated bills in residential homes after tenants had packed, he said the landlord must be held responsible, saying the landlord must ensure that tenants pay all bills before moving out of the apartment, failure to do so, he said the landlord must pay the accumulated bills and not the new tenant.

•Photo shows Funke Osibodu.

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