Activities at the premises of the Edo State Ministry of Power were temporarily disrupted on Friday following protest by youths from several communities of Ososo, Ojah and Ijiranmi in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area over prolonged power outage.
The protesters said they have not had power supply for the past eight months and demanded an alternative power distribution company if the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) could no longer supply power.
They carried placards with various inscriptions,, saying the prolonged power outage has crippled economic activities and stalled development in the affected communities.
Spokesman of the protesters, Mr. Bernard Gomina, said the protest was to draw attention to hardship in the affected communities.
Gomina alleged that the communities contributed money for repair of faulty equipment but the problems persisted.
He said the BEDC continued to slam them with what he termed outrageous estimated bills.
The lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo II in the Edo State House of Assembly, Donald Okogbe, who joined the protesters, said the people were frustrated by the prolonged outage.
Hon. Okogbe called on relevant agencies to give license to an alternative firm that would ensure steady power supply.
He said, ‘It has become necessary to consider an alternative arrangement if the BEDC can no longer provide reliable power.
‘We urged the Edo Electricity Regulatory Commission to explore the possibility of removing the affected communities from BEDC’s coverage.
‘Steady power supply is essential for economic growth and the wellbeing of the people. We call on the authorities to treat the matter as an emergency.’
Chairman of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Shittu Shaibu, assured the protesters that the Commission was aware of the situation and was working to resolve it.
Edo Commissioner for Power, Hon. Paul Osenbo, ueged the protesters to submit a memo detailing their complaints.