By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Monday pledged to dismantle what he described as the monopolistic tendencies of the Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) in order to ensure a more equitable distribution of electricity across the state.
The governor made the declaration during a stopover at the take-off point of a protest tagged “Mass Action Against BEDC Oppressions”, organised by a coalition known as “Organised Edo Against BEDC Oppressions” at the Benin City Museum.
Governor Okpebholo stated that allowing more operators into the electricity distribution business—similar to the model adopted by telecommunications companies—would enhance efficiency and service delivery, as competing firms would be compelled to offer improved services to customers.
“I want to let you know that the only way we can fight them is to bring stakeholders into this business of distribution,” he said.
“We will break the monopoly. That monopoly does not belong to one man. We have to operate like the way telecoms operate, bringing different stakeholders and companies into the sector.”
He further disclosed that a stakeholders’ meeting had been scheduled to explore avenues for attracting additional investors into electricity distribution within the state.
“We are going to have a meeting in my office tomorrow. We are bringing stakeholders together so that we can engage and see how we can bring in more investors into the business of electricity distribution. When that is done, all of us in the state will have enough light,” he assured.
Governor Okpebholo, who said he joined the protest in solidarity with the demonstrators, acknowledged that residents across the state had been short-changed by the electricity distribution company and insisted that the situation must not be allowed to continue.
“I was told that you people are protesting, and I said yes, we are all youths, are we not? I have come to join you in this protest,” he said.
“When we talk about short-changing Edo people, it affects all of us — my father in the village, your mother in the village, my brother in the city — all of us standing here.”
He urged the protesters to nominate representatives to attend the stakeholders’ meeting scheduled to hold at the Government House, where issues relating to BEDC would be thoroughly discussed.
Earlier, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, President of the Network of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (NOCSON), informed the governor that residents were weary of what he described as paying for darkness instead of electricity, as well as persistent overbilling by BEDC.
He stressed that the people of Edo State were not Father Christmas and urged the company to justify its billing with improved service delivery.
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