The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BEDC

  • Benin Disco installs 36,000 pre-payment meters

    The Benin Electricity  Distribution (BEDC)   installed 36,000 pre-payment meters in 2014.

    Its Executive Director, Commercial, Mr. Abu Ismail-Ejoor, made this known at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) stakeholders’ forum on the Credited Advanced Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) in Benin City.

    The Chairman of NERC, represented by Mary Awolokun, Commissioner, Engineering, Standards and Safety, said the commission was  touring all distribution companies to meet with the customers and get their feedback on the CAPMI implementation in all the Discos.

    She said the commission would ensure that meters were made available to customers under the advanced payments scheme within the statutory 45 days allowed by the commission for all Discos to do so.

    According to Awolokun, the commission will  sanction distribution companies that fail to supply meters to their customers within the  time frame.

    Ismail-Ejoor said metering of customers was key to the company’s operations.

    He said in the last one year, an average of 3,000 meters monthly were installed by the firm, adding that this was a significant step in bridging the metering gap and eliminating estimated billing from its billing platform.

    Ismail-Ejoor said though the company was eager to increase its installation capacity to see that more meters were installed within the statutory 45-day deadline, it had been hampered by  some addresses supplied by customers.

    He said in the first quarter of this year, BEDC would migrate its customers on the pre-payment meters to online real time vending system, which would allow its customers to purchase electricity tokens round the clock.

  • Ifaki residents protest nine-month blackout

    Ifaki residents protest nine-month blackout

    Residents of Ifaki-Ekiti marched on the streets yesterday to protest a nine-month power outage.

    It was gathered that the town had been disconnected from the National Grid by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    The protesters, mainly youths, who gathered at the Ifaki-Oye junction at 7am, threatened to attack BEDC officials.

    They sang to condemn what they termed “shabby treatment by the company”.

    The youth, in a similar protest, chased away BEDC officials from the town about three months ago, when a transformer was reportedly vandalised, causing BEDC to shift its operational base to Oye.

    Some of the protesters said the total blackout had grounded businesses and caused setbacks for many a resident.

    Similar outrages had been spurred across the state from Ado, Aramoko, and other towns, where residents have lamented months of darkness.

    BEDC’s public relations officer for Ekiti and Ondo states Kayode Brown said the company cut supplies to the town because of a major technical fault arising from the N57 million accumulated electricity bill owed.

    Brown alleged that the disconnection became an option, following consistent vandalisation of transformers in the town by hoodlums.

    Governor Ayodele Fayose promised to release N5 million to facilitate some settlement with the company so the town could be reconnected to the National Grid.

    He also pledged to install a transformer in the town to boost power generation as soon as the reconnection was done.

    The governor said: “I will provide a solution immediately. I appointed your daughter, Mrs. Modupe Alade as SSG that goes a long way to establish the respect I have for this community.

    “I am talking to BEDC on the need to set up a committee that would work out modalities for the payment of the outstanding bill.

    “You cannot use free electricity, you have to pay for it. I need your cooperation. Don’t vandalise or destroy property. I am not a leader who is not insensitive to your plight. I will get to the root of the matter and provide solution.”

     

  • Ifaki protest power outage

    Ifaki protest power outage

    Residents of Ifaki-Ekiti in Ekiti State marched on the streets yesterday to protest a nine-month power outage.

    It was gathered that the town had been disconnected from the National Grid by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    The protesters, mainly youths, who gathered at the Ifaki-Oye junction at 7am, threatened to attack BEDC offices.

    They sang to condemn what they termed “shabby treatment by the company”.

    The youth, in a similar protest, chased away BEDC officials from the town about three months ago, when a transformer was reportedly vandalised, causing BEDC to shift its operational base to Oye-Ekiti.

    Some of the protesters said the total blackout had grounded businesses and caused setbacks for many residents.

    There have been similar protests in Ado, Aramoko, and other towns, with residents lamenting months of darkness.

    BEDC’s spokesman for Ekiti and Ondo states Kayode Brown said there was a major fault which could not be rectified immediately, as residents owed N57million.

    Brown alleged that disconnection became an option, following consistent vandalism by hoodlums.

    Governor Ayodele Fayose promised to release N5 million to facilitate some settlement with the company so the town could be reconnected to the National Grid.

    He also pledged to instal a transformer in the town to boost power generation as soon as the reconnection was done.

    The governor said: “I will provide a solution immediately. I appointed your daughter, Mrs. Modupe Alade as SSG that goes a long way to establish the respect I have for this community.

    “I am talking to BEDC on the need to set up a committee that would work out modalities for the payment of the outstanding bill.

    “You cannot use free electricity, you have to pay for it. I need your cooperation. Don’t vandalise or destroy property. I am not a leader who is insensitive to your plight. I will get to the root of the matter and provide solution.”

     

  • Employee sues BEDC, seeks N50m damages

    An employee of Benin Electricity Distribution Company(BEDC), a major player in the distribution sector of the power industry in Nigeria, has dragged the company before the Industrial Court sitting in Akure for negligence, asking for N50 million compensation.

    Mr Ayeni Oluwasola who suffered severe burns while on official assignment, leading to the amputation of his left arm, is seeking an order of the court for BEDC to pay him the money as compensation and or general damages for injury, disability, deformity/permanent incapacity resulting from the negligent acts of the company in switching on electrical power supply of April 4, 2014.

    The suit was filed by a Human Rights activist, Barrister Charles Titiloye on behalf of Oluwasola. The Claimant as a staff in the employment of the BEDC was fixing a fault on the power transmission line of the company at Ode Irele, Ondo state when the industrial accident occurred. Oluwasola who deposed to a 41- paragraph affidavit in support of his claim averred that as a contract staff of BEDC, he was directed to fix a fault on the 11kv transmission line at Irele, after the control room confirmed that power has been switched off to enable him carry out repairs on the shattered insulator strings.

    He further averred that after he had observed all safety measures and put on his helmet, safety gloves and boot, he started the repair work only for BEDC to negligently restore power supply without notifying him.

    He further stated that the power restoration resulted into severe burns in his left hand and head.

    His hand got burnt beyond repair and was later amputated at Ondo State Trauma Centre, Ondo where he has been hospitalised since April.

    He alleged that BEDC abandoned him in the hospital, refused to pay his salary since April and sacked him in the month of September.

    The plaintiff alleged that his sack was a premeditated act orchestrated to turn him to a street beggar when BEDC knew his left hand has been cut off during surgery in order to save his life.

    Oluwasola is praying the court to order BEDC to pay all his outstanding salary, medical bills and also pay compensation of N50 million to him.

    He noted that BEDC hurriedly sacked him on his sick bed to avoid paying compensation having permanently incapacitated him and caused him a lifetime disability.

    The Court has fixed the case for mention on November 6.

     

  • NERC creates office to resolve BEDC’s power disputes

    NERC creates office to resolve BEDC’s power disputes

    The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has opened an office in Benin, the Edo State capital, to be closer to the consumers to address unresolved electricity issues between the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and its customers in the latter’s coverage area of the state.

    Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, who inaugurated the office, said the initiative would enhance NERC’s mandate of protecting the right.

    Nebo, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Omololu Ogunleye, hinked the success of reforms in the sector on the level of interaction among the stakeholders.

    He called for support for the distribution firms to ensure that consumers’ rights were protected. “These companies must ensure that Nigerians have adequate power supply,” he stressed.

    Ogunleye said the forum would serve as a platform and a major talk point for the resolution of electricity issues from various communities.

    He said: “The commission has the mandate to ensure that Nigerians have adequate and reliable supply of power. Let me use this opportunity to emphasise that the Federal Government’s efforts are quite glaring and it will not rest on it oars until it has achieved the desire to provide electricity for all.

    “It takes the commitment of all stakeholders and patience of the consumers to achieve this goal. There is no gain-saying that the success  of the electricity sector is dependent on the effective coordination of the sector.”

    Speaking on the occasion, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Energy and Water resources, Chris Ebare, said the NERC forum office was expected.

    He suggested that such offices should be opened in all  local government areas in the state to reduce the burden of people in the rural areas travelling to the state capital to lay complaints.

    NERC’s Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, represented by Dr Albert Ibrahim, said the forum office was set up specifically to bridge the gap between power consumers and the electricity distribution company in the state.

    “The forum is a body charged by the commission to hear and resolve customer complaints on appeal in the operational area of every distribution licensee. Complaints that may come to the forum are complaints not settled at the customer care units situated in the distribution company,” he said.

    Amadi said officials of the complaints’office were drawn from relevant stakeholders, which he said included the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), non-governmental organisations (NGOs),  civil society organisations and the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture (BENCCIMA)

    He however, urged electricity consumers to demonstrate understanding with the distribution company in the state, bearing in mind that the transformation in the power sector was a gradual process.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the BEDC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, who was represented by, her Executive Director, Commercial, Abu Ejoor, described the effort as a timely intervention to boost the interaction between the firm and its numerous consumers.

     

    On his part, Chairman House of Representatives on Power, Patrick Ikhariale, said he believed that the revolution in the telecom sector would be a child’s play when the power sector becomes fully operational under private sector management.

    He said: “If we get the power sector right, we would have solved 60 to 70 per cent of Nigeria’s challenges. The business of electricity is not a tea party business. It is capital intensive, it requires commitment, interest and technical know-how to succeed.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Benin Disco loses N1.8b to non-payment of bills

    ABOUT 60 per cent of electricity consumers under the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) do not pay their bills,  the Managing Director of the firrm, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, has said.

    Mrs. Osibodu, who spoke when  the Senate Committee on Privatisation visited the headquarters of the company as part of its oversight functions, said the firm has N1.8 billion debts from bills.

    She solicited the Senate’s assistance in curbing power theft by enforcing long jail term for offenders.

    She urged the Senate to lend its support towards providing a lasting solution to the incessant gas shortage and ensure generation  of additional 5000Megawatts in the short term.

    Other assistance sought by her, included fast-tracking transmission projects in the network and the government intervention to meet shortfall in revenue/tariff restructuring.

    Mrs. Osibodu said 200,000 of its customers were on estimated billing, adding that the BEDC planned to recruit an Accounting firm to review those on estimated billing to get it right.

    The BEDC boss listed achievements of the company within seven months of its operation to include improved customer services, introduction of e-bills platform, metering of 11kv feeders, mapping and rehabilitation of all 33 kv feeders among others.

    She said the BEDC has partnered the Elisade University to direct students of the institution to Power Engineering courses with practical approach.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, expressed optimism that the $265million planned investment of the BEDC would bring about monumental growth of the company as well as improved power supply.

    Senator Obadara said their visit was to ensure that the 17 successor companies are conforming to the agreement they signed with the Federal Government.

    According to him, “Nigerians are expecting great improvement from the new investors that took over generation and distribution companies. They want to see development and availability of power. They want to see huge investment from these people that bought them. The reason for going round is to encourage them and energise them to do what is needed and to see whether they are conforming to the agreement they signed.”

    “We are collating all the data we are having from every one of them for a thorough input making sure that more resources are available to the transmission company.

  • Oshiomhole protests PHCN ‘extortion’

    Oshiomhole protests PHCN ‘extortion’

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has kicked against the N750 monthly fixed charge collected by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    He said it amounts to extortion and exploitation of electricity consumers.

    The governor spoke at a meeting with the management team of BEDC, led by Mrs Funke Osibodu, the Benin Forum, led by Chief David Edebiri and Civil Society Organisations.

    “Madam, you will recall the day I first received you in my office. I think I mentioned that it is important that you improve on your service delivery to consumers and failure to do so will spark off a revolt from consumers. This is exactly what is happening today.

    “As the people’s representative, I cannot be quiet because it is certain that what is being done in Edo does not exist in other states.”

  • Ex-PHCN workers in alleged N700m fraud

    Ex-PHCN workers in alleged N700m fraud

    •12,000 households thrown into darkness

    The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has been rocked by a N700 million fraud allegedly committed by workers of the Warri Business District of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    It was learnt that bills collected by those involved in the syndicate were either not remitted or paid in full into the coffers of the company.

    The Nation investigation showed that the lid was blown off the deal when electricity was disconnected from over 12,000 households living in the Steel Camp of the Delta Steel Company in Ovwian-Aladja, Delta State.

    Aggrieved families said electricity bills paid by the households over the past three years were not remitted to the account of the company.

    One of the victims, Mrs. Rose Edewor, said: “We celebrated the Yuletide in darkness. First, they raised the amount paid by each flat from N500 to N1,000 and then to N1,500. We still didn’t complain until they increased it to N5,500.

    “It was while protesting against the new bill that we went to their Benin office to see what was happening. That was when we discovered that there was no record that we hadpaid in the last three years.”

    Further investigations showed that the PHCN officials perfected the crime by setting up a ‘special committee’ to collect rent from the residents, but failed to remit the fund.

    “We found out that they remitted only a tiny fraction of money collected,” a worker of BEDC in Warri said.

    BEDC officials from Benin City moved to Udu for a meeting with the aggrieved consumers.

    It was gathered that the meeting could not hold, owing to a deadlock over the venue. While the consumers wanted the meeting to be held on the School II premises of DSC, the BEDC official preferred a neutral place.

    The delegation, according to information, said the security of their members could not be guaranteed in the school.

    Attempts to get the views of BEDC officials were unsuccessful, as one of the officials cited lack of competence to comment on the matter.