By Goodluck Ikiebe.
Fugar Community in Edo state has appealed to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, to restore electricity supply back to the people.
For the past two weeks, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, disconnected electricity power supply to the entire community, over alleged debt of about Six hundred and sixty five million naira (N665,000,000).
The National Executive Council of Fugar Progressive Union, a socio Cultural group, which met on the issue, finds it unfortunate that the BEDC Plc would embark on the disconnection of the power supply to the entire community, based on claimed indebtedness calculated using the transformers, when the electricity bills are charged monthly on individual/houselold basis.
A statement by the National Public Relation Officer, Mr Solomon Obomighie notes that several Fugarians/households have paid their bills up to date, while some are using prepaid electricity meters.
“However, to ensure the reconnection of electricity supply to the community, the Fugar Electricity and BEDC Plc Liason Committee, alongside other stakeholders, have held two meetings with the officials of the BEDC Plc, and NEC has directed that the Committee keeps engaging with the BEDC Plc, for a resolution” The statement stated.
It said that to prevent this situation from repeating itself, NEC has directed that a letter be written to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the electricity supply situation in Fugar, especially to mandate the BEDC Plc to provide electricity meters for the electricity consumers in the community.
The statement appeals to Fugarians to bear the temporary inconvenience, as the issues will be resolved without stating timeline.
Some of the people, who are coming to spend the Easter holiday at home may not find the situation comfortable except the Benin Electricity Distribution Company rescind its decision by restoring electricity supply to the community while negotiations on resolving the issue continue.
Several programmes and events lined up during the period may be affected as a result of this disconnection of supply.
The people of Fugar are of the view that the BEDC should be magnanimous and temper justice with mercy by doing the needful and reconnect the community with electricity supply.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
