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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Governor Monday Okpebholo has presided over a crucial stakeholders’ meeting with key players in the electricity sector in Edo State, following a recent peaceful protest in Benin City over power supply and billing concerns.
Addressing participants, Governor Okpebholo said the issues raised were complex and could not be resolved in isolation, stressing the need for broader engagement involving all critical actors in the power value chain.
Recall that the governor had earlier appealed to protesting youths and assured them that a meeting of stakeholders would be held.
“We need to call for a larger stakeholders’ meeting. I can see that we cannot get a solution now. Every reasonable person should understand that BEDC is not generating power. They are service providers. We need to also look at that aspect.”
The governor, who described himself as a telecoms expert familiar with metering systems, explained that certain meter deductions complained about by residents are structured repayment mechanisms.
“Such deductions are meant to enable consumers to run for a period before they start buying units, but they will gradually pay back. So they give you the opportunity to start using it, and gradually you pay back. Please don’t be too worried about that,” he said.
He, however, emphasised that the overall challenge must be addressed comprehensively.
“We need to solve the problem holistically. And Azura, we need to talk. I also want to appeal to Azura because the information I’m getting is that you are transmitting power to neighbouring states while Edo State is not getting enough. We need to find a solution to this problem totally,” Okpebholo said.
He assured residents that his administration would not ignore their concerns, reiterating his commitment to ensuring improved power supply and fairness in service delivery.
He directed that a larger stakeholders’ meeting be convened to include all relevant actors in the electricity value chain, with a view to reaching sustainable and practical solutions.
The governor appealed for calm, urging residents to remain law-abiding while the government works towards resolving the issues in the interest of the Edo people.
Responding to complaints earlier, BEDC Managing Director/CEO Engr Jonathan Lawani said a critical stakeholder, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), was absent from the meeting, noting that the power distribution chain is interconnected.
He explained that generation companies depend largely on gas supply to produce electricity, saying, “See BEDC as a retailer who buys from another person. If he doesn’t sell to me, I can’t sell to Edo or any other state.”
Lawani disclosed that BEDC requires about 760 megawatts to adequately serve parts of its franchise area, but currently receives about 260 megawatts.
“As I speak today, what we are getting is 260 plus. So how do I share it?” he asked.
Lawani also clarified that tariff structures are regulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), stressing that BEDC does not have the authority to arbitrarily increase or reduce tariffs.
On the free meter programme, he stated that the company, in collaboration with the federal government, helped to facilitate a World Bank loan to procure meters and has deployed thousands at no upfront cost to consumers, warning against patronising individuals who illegally sell or install meters.
Leader of the protesting group, Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel, earlier said Edo residents took to the streets to express frustration over prolonged outages, estimated billing and the alleged sale of meters meant to be free.
He alleged that several communities have been without electricity for months, with some residents purchasing transformers and cables only to be asked to donate them before installation.
He further claimed that meters under the federal government’s free programme were being sold at exorbitant prices by individuals he described as agents.
The meeting, which brought together members of the organised group “Edo Against BEDC Oppression” led by Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Hon (Engr) Jonathan Lawani; representatives of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) led by its General Manager, Commercial, Prof Stephen Ogaji; and Dr Julius A. Along, ES HS Manager, Azura Power West Africa Limited; the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon Yakubu Musa, JP; the Commissioner for Power, Hon Paul Ehigie Usenbo; and other senior officials, was held in Government House, Benin City.
