195 communities in Edo are living without electricity - Deputy governor
- Not less than 195 communities in Edo state have never experienced electricity supply
- The state government made this announcement on Wednesday, May 16, adding that 128 others have issues of broken down infrastructure
- The government also said that no community enjoys electricity supply for more than eight hours a day
The Edo state government has said that 195 communities in the state have never experienced electricity supply while 128 others have issues of broken down infrastructure that requires rehabilitation.
This was disclosed on Wednesday, May 16, by the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, during the House of Representatives Adhoc committee, south south, interactive session with electricity consumers, Independent reports.
Legit.ng notes that the deputy governor was represented by the deputy chief of staff, office of the deputy governor, Kingsley Ehigiamusor.
READ ALSO: Teaching philosophy in secondary school will solve ethnic and religious conflicts - Association
He said the interim report from a special committee set up by the government to carry out a comprehensive status in the state, revealed that 55 communities were under disconnection by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) because they were owing, adding that 219 transformers were required to replace broken down ones.
He said: “This interactive session is very germane and most timely, considering the huge outcry by electricity consumers all over the country, particularly in Edo state.
“The complaints include but not limited to few hours of services per day, e.g. maximum of eight hours per day in most places; poor meter services, no pre-paid meters, over billing arising from estimated billing system, aged or over-loaded transformers, non-replacement of faulty transformers for upward of 15 months in most areas, among others."
In his response, the executive director (commercial) of BEDC, said that the problem of overbilling, estimated billing and indebtedness by consumers were being addressed by the company, adding that it was the duty of Discos to replace faulty transformers. He stated that where there were huge debts, the consumers must make some payments before the transformer could be replaced.
He said: "You must be a paying customer and must pay certain amount of money before faulty transformers could be replaced."
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Benin and the Port Harcourt electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) were fined N6.2 million for refusing to comply with the rulings on a complaint against them by some customers.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) fined the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) the sum of N5.01 million for disobeying its decision on the complaint brought against it by Ikponmwosa Barry, S C Ogoke, and F E Ubuane.
Nigerian electricity crisis explained - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
