DISCO extortion: Edo Gov joins protest as Niger Gov calls for boycott

By Ude Ehonwa and Omolade Adegbuyi

In what signified the total failure of electricity providers in Nigeria, the Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has joined protesters against Benin Electricity Distribution Company, [BEDC].

The Governor on Monday joined thousands of protesters that took to the streets protesting extortion by BEDC.

Meanwhile, in Niger State, the State Governor called on residents to boycott the local disco for poor performance urging residents to choose solar energy as alternative.

“We need to engage them to see how we can bring more investors into the business of electricity distribution,” the Edo State Governor told the protesters as he joined them in solidarity.

Bago said his government is displeased with lack of electricity in the state.

He said “If they go on protest, I will join them because the failure of power is affecting everybody in Niger State.We now have our own solar system company.”

Bago was confident that the poor power supply in Niger State would end as saying the state is transiting to other sources of power supply.

He asked the residents to make efforts to have an alternative power supply like solar power.

He said Niger State has transitioned government facilities like hospitals, schools, and government houses from the national grid for efficient services.

Nigerian Electric Power Authority, [NEPA) was sold to private investors in 2013 amidst accusations of incompetence.

The protesters were at Ring Road in Benin City with placards that read “We say no to BEDC oppression,” “No light, no bill,” and “Edo people say no to bulk billing.”

Governor Monday Okpebholo joined the protesters to express his support.

The protesters decried frequent outages, estimated billing, and the high cost of prepaid meters.

Ogbidi Emmanuel who spoke on behalf of the protesters said DISCOs are into “oppressive practices.”

He said “We pay for light, and they give us darkness,” he said, questioning the transparency of the company’s free meter distribution scheme.

He accused BEDC of extortion asking them to publish the names of beneficiaries. He said meters reportedly cost between N150,000 and N400,000.

The Edo Governor said “Once that is done, we will all be more assured of stable power. Let us remain calm and allow the engagement to take place,” the governor appealed.

Okpebholo said efforts would be taken to address the grievances of residents.

He told the protesters to nominate five represenatives to the stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

“I was just passing by and saw people gathered here at Ring Road. I stopped to find out what the issue was, and they said you were protesting.

“I said, yes, we are all youths, and I have come to join you. The only way we can fight this is to bring new investors into the business of distribution.

He spoke further “We will break the monopoly. We want to operate like the telecom sector, where you have alternatives. Bringing in more investors will give our people options,” he said.