Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to do everything possible in making sure that electricity consumers across the state are not billed indiscriminately.

The governor frowned at the practice of over-charging consumers even when there are proven cases of under supply of electricity to households, and enjoined the company to deploy prudent measures in the billing system.

Okowa who spoke at Issele-Uku during the re-commissioning of electricity supply in Aniocha North Local Government Area, assured that the issue of street light in Asaba, Warri, Sapele, Oghara, Ughelli and other cities was receiving attention, noting that the night life would bounce back.

Represented by the Commissioner for Power and Energy, Mr. Newworld Safugha, the governor however admonished electricity consumers to pay their bills in order to continue enjoying power supply and avoid disconnection.

He implored other council chairmen in the state to emulate the chairman of Aniocha North council, Mr. Chucks Oseme by rehabilitating existing electricity infrastructure so as to restore power supply to communities, adding that the state government was also taking deliberate steps to ensure that all communities are connected to the national grid.

“I want to commend the council chairman for this project, and use this medium to urge other council chairmen to take a cue from what Aniocha North has done. As a government, we are conscious of the importance of electricity, hence we are partnering with BEDC on how to improve power supply in the state.

“It is not only in Aniocha North that we have electricity challenge before now. Bomadi, Patani, Aniocha South and Oshimili Nortn have similar challenge. They have electricity network but no power supply. We are handling the issue because this administration is determined to bring electricity to all communities in the respective councils,” he assured.

Chairman of the council, Chucks Oseme had said that electricity supply was very dear to the heart of his administration, adding that the project was in line with the SMART agenda of the state government as it will accelerate industrial growth.

“By providing electricity, we are creating the basic infrastructures that every society needs to grow. From these improvements are bound to come, more people, more business and more wealth. The entire population of Issele-Uku and environs will benefit from this project – among them are families, schools and farmers on whom so much of our economy depend on,” Oseme said.

Oseme commended members of executive of the council, the legislative arm, management and staff of the council, as well as management and staff of BEDC for providing the necessary partnership to actualise the project.

In her remark, Managing Director of BEDC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu lauded the state government for its exceptional support the commonly has enjoyed since it was privatised and sued for its sustenance by the present administration.

Osibodu however has said that power allocation from the national grid is grossly inadequate for the company to distribute to its consumers in its areas of operation which include Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states.

She said the company’s power allocation of nine percent of the total power generated across the country was grossly insufficient in servicing the over 750,000 customers of the company, noting that BEDC has the capacity to distribute at least five times of the total power which it distribute at present.

As a result of the inadequate allocation of power to the company from the national grid, Osibodu said communities within the four states of its operation would continue to experience load shedding and power rationing.

She however said the company was at present, working with various parties “on embedded/off grid electricity. This quantum increase in power is expected to happen in the medium term.”

While acknowledging that it has become very critical managing customers’ demand for electricity, Osibodu urged consumers to use energy saving electrical appliances to “save consumption, reduce cost and improve amount of power available to all. Please switch off all appliances when they are not in use.”

•Photo shows BEDC MD, Funke Osibodu.

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