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Tag: BEDC

  • Blackout: Edo Govt reconnects to BEDC after five years

    Blackout: Edo Govt reconnects to BEDC after five years

    Edo State Government has reconnected to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) for supply of electricity.

    This came five years after it broke BEDC monopoly in the state by supporting construction of Ossiomo Power, an electricity generation and distribution firm.

    The switch over to BEDC by the Edo Government was due to the shut down of Ossiomo Power since September 1st over ownership tussle between Ossiomo Power and its Chinese partners, Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC).

    Read Also: Edo govt, PDP disagree on public funds spending

    Ossiomo Power generates 95MW of electricity which it supplied to government buildings, Edo government house, Edo NUJ secretariat, private organisations, streetlights amongst others.

    Director General of the Edo State Electrification Agency, Saturday Omozokpea Egbadon, who confirmed the switch over to the BEDC, said electricity has been restored to some streetlights and government buildings.

    Egbadon said the process was still ongoing.

  • Angry Akure residents shut down BEDC office over poor power supply 

    Angry Akure residents shut down BEDC office over poor power supply 

    Aggrieved residents of Akure on Tuesday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Ondo State over worsening power supply to their community.

    The protesters, mostly from Judges Estate in Alagbaka, Akure South Local Government Area, locked the entrance gate of the BEDC office, accusing officials of disconnecting their estate from its original power line.

    They alleged that the estate previously enjoyed about 16 hours of electricity daily before the company diverted their supply to a new phase in Oda, where power has been irregular and grossly inadequate.

    Speaking on behalf of the residents, Chairman of the Judges Estate Landlords Association, Prince Ade Adegboro, accused BEDC technicians of deceiving them with promises of 24-hour electricity while rerouting their lines to Oda.

    Read Also: Court cautions parties in N100b IBEDC sale suit

    According to him, the diversion has left the community in darkness for nearly a week.

    “We are here to demand that they reconnect us to our original line. At Alagbaka, we used to enjoy 16 hours of power daily. 

    “Since they moved us to the Oda line, we have been without electricity, while our neighbouring estates still enjoy steady supply. For five days now, our homes and offices have been in total darkness.

    “We are not here to fight, but to make it clear that their promise of 24-hour power has turned into permanent blackout,” he said.

    He further disclosed that several letters of complaint had been sent to BEDC offices in Benin and Lagos without any positive response.

    The Nation report that despite repeated pleas, BEDC officials at the Akure office declined to address the protesters but instead asked the residents to forward another formal letter to state their grievances.

    Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the BEDC management proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.

  • Ondo moves to take over power distribution from BEDC

    Ondo moves to take over power distribution from BEDC

    Ondo State Government said it has begun moves to take over distribution of electricity from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    This move followed breakdown of talks between BEDC and the Ondo State Government.

     Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Power, Engr. Johnson Alabi, disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting in Akure, the state capital.

     Alabi said the take over of power distribution was because the BEDC had failed to provide adequate power supply to residents of the state.

    Alabi stated that various engagement with the power firm did not yield any significant results.

    He noted that the State Government would invest $5 million for power distribution after taking over from BEDC to ensure adequate distribution of electricity to all residents of the state. 

    According to him: “You will all know that power situation in Ondo State is not at its best. We have engaged BEDC in various forums and up till today the improvement is not as fast as the state government wants it to be. We have viewed it in different ways and we find out that it looks like the company lacks financial capacity and that has led to the constraints they are having. 

    “Based on that, the state government is prepared to take over the distribution of networks in Ondo so that we will be able to bring electricity to the door step of all consumers in the state. We are considering putting in about $5 million into the distribution of Ondo State, this I can assure you will improve the network of Ondo State significantly

    “In my office, everyday people come in with request for transformer and cables. Situations were people are contributing money for transformers, poles, electric cables is no longer acceptable in Ondo State. The utility company should take charge of the distribution, and since they have been unable to do so, the Ondo State government is ready to take over and we will relate with them. 

    “The law permit us to take over and pay them what is called ‘distribution use of system’ charged to BEDC for their network infrastructures and we can decide to run with consultants or other investors. So that the state government can invest significantly into the network. 

    Read Also: IBEDC consumers threaten to migrate to other DISCOS

    we will take over the financial structure of the company while we allow them to keep the technical structures and the staffing structure. 

    But Acting Managing Director of BEDC, Jonathan Lawal, said it was wrong for the State Government government to use the word ‘take over’ because the country was not in a military dictatorship.

    Lawal, who was represented by BEDC’s Chief Commercial Officer, Akinyele Ogunleye, said the company remained open to franchise and willingly to welcome new investors.

    He said the firm does not have enough megawatt that could serve the whole state. 

    His words: “The word take over is not appropriate because its not as if we are in the military. However, we have made it known to the government officials that we are open to franchising arrangement which is the proper thing. There is nothing bad in franchising arrangement because every party involved with sit together and look at the mutual benefit of the arrangement.

    “We recognise the fact that there are some areas in the state that are underserved or that are not served at all, but it’s not out of place for us to have investors coming in to manage electricity supply in those areas. 

    “The issue of electricity distribution is a national issue. We don’t have the adequate megawatt that is needed in the entire nation, so we give based on what we have. It is not primarily the failure of the distribution company but a system issues, because it is what you have that you will give out.”

  • Court stops BEDC from disconnecting UNIMEDTH

    Court stops BEDC from disconnecting UNIMEDTH

    An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has restrained Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) from disconnecting electricity at the state-owned University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo, over alleged indebtedness.

    It also stopped BEDC from tampering with the cable that supplied electricity to the hospital.

    Justice B. J. Akinwumi granted the ex-parte order in a suit filed by the hospital through its counsel, Iyiola Afolabi.

    Read Also: Shettima calls for inter-agency collaboration to drive Tinubu’s agenda

    The hospital sued BEDC over fear of disconnection of its power owing to alleged indebtedness.

    It prayed for “an order of interim injunction restraining the defendant, its agents, servants, privies, staff or officers or anybody claiming through or for the defendant from disconnecting or threatening to disconnect electricity supply to the claimant, pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

    The motion was brought under order 20 Rule 1 (1) and (2), Rule 15 of the Ondo State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the honourable court.

    No date has been fixed for hearing due to ongoing courts’ vacation.

  • Two BEDC staff docked for alleged N38m fraud

    Two BEDC staff docked for alleged N38m fraud

    Two staff of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Adeyinka Oyebode and Samuel Ogunba, have been docked before the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, for alleged N38m fraud.

    They were alleged to have forged BEDC electric bills and distributed them to customers within the Ore Service Unit.

    The duo were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining, fraud, conversion, and stealing.

    They pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

    The charge sheet reads in parts: “That you, Oyebode Adeyinka and Ogunba Samuel, between January and February 2004, in Ore, Ondo State, while being employed by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) at the Ore Service Unit within the jurisdiction of the honourable court, with intent to defraud, forged BEDC electric bills and distributed same to customers, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 1(2)(c) 35 Cap 17 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria Act 2004.

    “That you, Oyebode Adeyinka and Samuel Ogunba, between January and February 2004, in Ore, Ondo State, while being employed by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) at the Ore service unit within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, by which you forged to obtain money from your employer, BEDC, and its customers in the sum of N38,490,175.81, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(1) and Section 1(3) of the Law of the Federation of Nigeria Act 2004.”

    Prosecuting counsel, M.O. Adetuwo, said the defendants fraudulently obtained N38.4 million from BEDC customers in the state and converted to their use.

    But the defendants’ lawyer, O.J. Ifadasi, appealed to the court to grant his clients bail on the most liberal terms.

    Read Also: IBEDC throws meters open to customers

    He promised they would not jump bail.

    In his ruling, Justice Alexander Owoeye granted the defendants bail to the sum of N1m and one surety each in like sum.

    Justice Owoeye said the defendants be remanded at the Olokuta prison pending when they perfected the bail condition.

    He adjourned the case to September 19, 2024, for trial

  • Omozogie-Uteh community connected to national grid

    The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has connected Omozogie quarters in Uteh community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area to the national grid.

    It is the first time the residents are getting electricity after many years of waiting. They, therefore, set up an Electricity Committee to watch against energy theft.

    At a town hall meeting before the inauguration of a sub-station, BEDC’s Head of Community Relations, Mrs. Virginia Osineme, urged the people to see the substation as a collective responsibility that should be protected against vandalism and other forms of energy theft.

    Mrs. Osineme educated residents on basic safety tips on proper earthing of their premises, importance of engaging licensed electricians to wire their houses, and the need to avoid substandard electrical accessories.

    She said: “The protection of the substation is everybody’s business. If there is no light, you know who to meet and talk to. If you see anybody in the substation that is not authorised by BEDC and the electricity committee, he or she is a vandal and should be arrested.”

    The Ikpoba Hill Business Manager, Mrs. Ekaete Ntukidem, praised the residents for their patience during the process of connecting them to the national grid.

    “Meters have been properly installed and functional to provide you with fair and transparent billing. Please, ensure no new wire is connected illegally to the network. We will know because of the check meter attached to the transformer, vend as at when due and don’t allow electricians to tamper with the transformer.”

    Spokesman for the community Mr. Iyoha Omozogie said the sub-station would boost business in the community.

    “We thank the management and staff of BEDC for their direction in ensuring that our community is connected to the national grid. We also thank members of the community for their selfless donations and doggedness in ensuring the yearning of the people becomes a reality. We now have light in Omozogie.

    “The community has set up an electricity committee which will work with BEDC in ensuring meters were not bypassed to mitigate energy losses, ensure quick response to faults and protection of the substation.”

  • BEDC sponsors athletes for Special Olympics

    BENIN Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) sponsored two athletes to the Special Olympics world summer games in Abu Dhabi, which ends today. It started on March 8.

    The theme for the event  is: “Let me win, if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt”.

    It is aimed at driving respect, social inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities in the society. It will mark the culmination of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Special Olympics and the beginning of the next 50 years of the inclusion movement.

    Speaking at the send off at Vigeo Holdings, Lagos State, BEDC Chief Agency and Channels Officer, Mrs. Felicia Nlemoha, commended the Special Olympics team Nigeria for its selfless service to the nation and development of the special children.

    “It is an achievement we should all be proud of because it gives the athletes a sense of belonging and acceptance in the society. We need to speak more on this initiative in order to attract more sponsors in the coming year.

    “We are identifying with the Special Olympics for the first time and will continue to partner SO in ensuring more special children are given a pride of place in the society especially in this era of social inclusion and participation. To the athletes, we are confident of your victory and you will come back victorious,” she added.

    The athletes are Mr. Godwin Friday from Edo State, who will be participating in football and Miss Adewoyin Bukola from Ekiti State, who will be playing table tennis. The donation was part of its corporate social responsibility in making the community safer for children through its safety sensitisation campaigns where the children are educated about safety rules and how to observe best safe practices in their homes, schools and society in general.

    The Chairman, Special Olympics Nigeria, Mr. Victor Osibodu, represented by Mr. Akindayom, said: “The 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world. It is expected to bring together 7,000 athletes, 3,000 coaches, 1,500 officials, 20,000 volunteers, 3,000 honored guests, 6,000 family members and over 500,000  spectators from over 170 nations.’’

  • Benin residents praise BEDC for improved supply

    Residents of Benin and its environs have praised the Federal Government and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (BEDC) for the improvement in power supply to their areas.

    Some of the residents, who spoke  in Benin in separate interviews, said the commendation was due to their experience within the last quarter of 2018.

    The residents said with the improvement in power supply, they have been enjoying electricity supply from a near zero hour daily to at least 12 hours daily. They further stressed that the improvement in supply had remarkably led to the improvement in their means of livelihood as well as their lifestyle.

    A resident of Abuja quarters in Ugbor, Benin, Mr. Osaigwe Aghedo,  said electricity supply to his area was constant at 12 hours daily. “It is usually brought for every three hours, I mean three hours on and three hours off, which add up to 12 hours daily and it has been ongoing since January,” he said.

    Aghedo said this was not the case between October and November 2018, when residents practically stayed in the dark for weeks.

    Another resident, Miss Jemima Osaikhuiwuomwan, who lives around Iduoriyekemwen area of Ugbowo, said most of the areas around Isihor are also enjoying 18 hours power supply daily. “I don’t know where the electricity supply came from, but it has improved recently to the extent that sometimes I have to switch off some of my electrical gadgets,” she said.

    The story is the same with John Omoruyi and Festus Napoleon, who both reside at Irhirhi area, off Airport  Road, Benin. They said the area usually have power up to 12 hours daily supply. The duo, however, bemoaned the issue of estimated billing which they described as “extortion.”

    Similarly, Osato Udiase, who resides at Utese, Ovia North East Local Government Area, said the communities around his area benefitted from supply between 12 to 20 hours daily unlike before. While commending BEDC for the improved electricity supply, he also lamented over the excessive billing system.

    Also commenting, Mr. Kayode Osasuyi from Olumoye community in the same Ovia North East said: “We enjoy light for at least 14 hours daily except when there is fault or during rainy season. BEDC officials do the fault tracing promptly and restore power afterwards.”

  • BEDC holds safety campaigns in Edo

    Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has held safety campaigns in some primary and secondary schools in Edo State.

    It also donated over 20,000 exercise books to some pupils.

    The sensitisation was part of  the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    At Eyean Secondary School in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, BEDC’s Health, Environment and Safety Manager, Mr. Gilbert Nweke, spoke on the dangers of tampering with electrical installations, living and trading under high tension overhead lines, overcrowded electrical sockets, stepping/touching lines (electrical wires) and playing near distribution substations, among others.

    The Principal, Eyean Secondary School, Mr. P. K. Idemudia, who was elated at the exercise, expressed appreciation to BEDC for the visit, saying: “This is a good innovation by BEDC, it is the first time we are witnessing this campaign from any electricity service provider in the country.”

    He advised other electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to take a cue from BEDC to reach out to children who formed major part of the vulnerable segment of their customer population and are prone to electrical accident.

    The team Lead of CSR Project, Mrs. Felicia Nlemoha, said: “The campaign will promote safety in the use of electricity at home, schools, road, and workplace and reduce the rate of electricity accidents and hazards, will  become safety ambassadors in their various homes.’’

    She further stated that as part of giving back to the society, selected schools would get educational materials from BEDC.

    “In addition to the safety campaign, BEDC will also commence the formation of energy clubs called ‘Joules’ in secondary schools. The growth of Joules club will metamorphose into a debate competition, among member- schools. The winners of the competition will in turn become brand ambassadors of BEDC.

    “The objectives of the Joules clubs are to groom secondary students to take up careers in the electricity industry and to boost the current drive by BEDC and other DisCos to tackle manpower gap in the power sector,” she added.

    According to Mrs. Nlemoha, it will also encourage students to embrace the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiative in their career path, especially the females and also bridge the knowledge gap in the power industry by educating students on the entire electricity value chain.

    BEDC also visited some primary and secondary schools in Edo State, including those in Ogbe, Oliha, Iyase Ugbekun, Ologbosere, Isohan, Ogenerie primary schools

  • Monarch, residents praise BEDC for reconnection

    The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Felix Balogun, and some residents have commended the management and staff of Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (BEDC) for getting the town reconnected to the national grid.

    Speaking during a Town Hall meeting organized by BEDC in Igbokoda, Oba Balogun, noted that the distribution company (DisCo) not only deserved praise for the reconnection, but also for being on ground with its technical staff to resolve likely teething problems that may arise due to the prolonged outage.

    He appealed to residents to be patient with BEDC in completing the power restoration to the 11 outstanding distribution transformers. It will be recalled that 10 substations that were energized as at Wednesday included; Larada, General Hospital Secretariat road substation, Ikuomola, Ilara, Orioketilu, Church substation, Okoga College road/Omotehin, GRA1, GRA4/NDDC and Broadstreet substation.

    Oba Balogun further urged residents to work hand in hand with BEDC staff in ensuring that electricity supply reached all parts of Igbokoda, adding that now that electricity was restored, they should ensure prompt payment of their bills to strengthen relationship with the power firm, assuring that he would personally lead the team collecting bills to facilitate payment “especially now that BEDC has come to our aid in ensuring that we have light.”

    Also, several indigenes of Igbokoda praised BEDC for facilitating the reconnection of Igbokoda in collaboration with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) back to the grid.

    They urged the firm to complete the energisation of the remaining 11 distribution substations in the town, with a view to provide  regular supply to the people.

    Tanimowo Igbokoyi and Prince Folorunso Oyeyemi both indigenes of Igbokoda equally lauded BEDC for the restoration of electricity supply to the town saying “we thank you for making Ilaje happy. There is light now in Igbokoda. We are grateful to BEDC for giving us light after 10years. May God help them”.

    Also, the Chief State Head, Ondo/Ekiti State, Mrs. Kunbi Labiyi remarked that the restoration was made possible through the collaboration between Federal Government through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and BEDC and that the supply was from Ondo Transmission Substation.

    Labiyi said the Igbokoda reconnection was the Phase 1, while Phase 2 she said will entail the energisation of the outstanding 11 transformers, adding that the Phase 3 will connect new communities yet to be on the national grid.

    She, however, said that the present Ondo Transmission Station feeder which supplies electricity to Igbokoda town was lengthy and thus prone to fault, adding that the 132kva Erinje substation if worked upon by federal government, would serve the whole of Ondo South including Igbokoda more.