Oshiomhole protests extortion of electricity consumers in Edo

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has protested the N750 monthly fixed charge collected by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) from its customers in the state, saying it amounts to extortion and exploitation.

The governor, who held a meeting with the management team of BEDC, led by Mrs Funke Osibodu, the Benin Forum, led by Chief David Edebiri and the Civil Society Organisations in the state, yesterday said fixed charges and estimated tariff by the electricity company were not only irresponsible, but crude and criminal.
While recalling the first meeting with the management of BEDC, Oshiomhole said: “Madam, you will recall the day I first formally received you in my office. I made some factual statements that the essence of privatisation is increase in entrepreneurial efficiency. I think I mentioned it that now that the federal government has handed over NEPA or PHCN, it is incumbent that you improve on your service delivery to consumers in order to have confidence in your organization. Failure to do that will spark

off a revolt from consumers. As someone elected to represent the interest of the entire Edo people, I cannot be silent to this type of exploitation by one company.  From what I have gathered from the various speakers, it is certain that what is happening in Edo does not happen in other states”.
Governor Oshiomhole however urged the management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company to invite officials of National Electricity Regulatory Commission to his office within a specified time to further deliberate on the matter while directing the BEDC to discontinue their purported disconnection exercise.