Subscribers to Ossiomo Power in Edo State are in for a hard time owing to lack of supply from the power firm since September 1st.

The customers are caught in a power fight between the Ossiomo Powers & Infrastructure and its Chinese partners, Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology.

Sources said the Chinese firm felt they were being put in the dark about operations of the firm.

It was gathered that electricity from the power firm was switched off in an attempt by the Chinese firm to take full control of the firm.

Security was said to have been beefed up at the power plant.

Ossiomo Power Plant is a 95MW power firm that is gas-fired and provided electricity to many firms, hotels, the Edo NUJ secretariat, state government buildings, streetlights, and some communities.

The Edo State Government has distanced itself from being responsible for the blackout.

It said its operations were also affected by the blackout.

Director General of the Edo State Electrification Agency, Saturday Omozokpea Egbadon, said the state government had no knowledge or involvement in the decision to shut down the Ossiomo Power Plant.

Egbadon, in a statement, said management of Ossiomo did not inform or consult the government before taking such action.

According to him: “What we are experiencing is as a result of internal issues between Ossiomo Power and their partners (CCETC), and not caused by the government or electricity consumers.

“As a responsible government, we are making every effort to ensure that innocent customers are not punished for issues they did not cause. Please be assured that the Edo State Government is working tirelessly, and power will be restored very soon.”

But Management of Ossiomo Power said the blackout was due to a major technical issue within its generation facility.

It apologised to customers for the development.

A statement by its Deputy General Manager, Engr. Francis Ekwe, said the requisite equipment and the necessary accessories have been procured and were undergoing installation at the site.

“It is expected that power will be restored as soon as possible as our team of engineers are already on site to ensure quick installation.

“We humbly appeal to all our customers to bear with us as the equipment when finally installed will lead to improved performance of our power generation, transmission and distribution”, the statement reads.

Government sources said the state government was already making plans to switch back to the BEDC.

Many Ossiomo Power consumers said they are confused about the situation.

They said the 24 hours power supply from Ossiomo made them not to provide back up.

Don Osehobo, said he lost N16,000 daily since the blackout.

“Nobody buys drinks that are not cold. It is terrible.”

A barber, Sylvester Orhue, said he has not bought fuel for his generator since he connected to Ossiomo three years ago.

He urged them to urgently restore power supply. (The Nation)

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