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Tag: Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)

  • Edo secures electricity license for Benin Industrial Park

    …as Obaseki berates BEDC 

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a license for the state government to generate and use electricity in its offices as well as in the proposed Benin Industrial Park (BIP), after the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated its efforts.

    At the commissioning of the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State, the governor expressed delight with the approval by NERC, noting that the nod gives it the clearance to work with its partners such as the Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Project and others, in delivering electricity to street lights, government offices and the Benin Industrial Park.  He said the new power transformer by TCN in Okpella will improve electricity supply in Edo North axis of the state.

    He noted, “The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) frustrated effort by this government to create alternative source of electricity. The company’s regrettable actions led us to seek the license, to ensure that we get the required power mix to light up government offices and the other projects which it will serve. The approval of the license has further prompted a partnership with a Chinese Company that have identified interest to partner with us to develop our industrial park as they are sending 20 engineers to the state next month.”

    Read Also: Edo orders arrest of imposter over illegal revenue collection

    The governor commended the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for building the 1X60MVA, 132/33KV Power Transformer at the Okpella Transmission Substation in Etsako East Local Government Area, noting that the gesture has sparked off a revolution in Edo State and Nigeria.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for critical investment in the power sector, adding, “As Minister of Petroleum, the President built our core petroleum industry and as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he carried out major infrastructure investments in the country. In the last three years, President Muhammadu Buhari has tried to rebuild the core infrastructure of Nigeria. If every Nigerian leader is like the president, Nigeria would have developed than its present stage.”

    Chairman, NERC, Prof. James Momoh commended the collaboration between Governor Obaseki and the TCN, which led to the realisation of the project, noting that the project will have significant impact in the lives of the people.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed said the project is in line with the Transmission, Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), of the President Buhari’s administration.

    “TCN is implementing the project to stabilise, expand and provide infrastructure consistent with international standard N-1 reliability criterion. I urge the distribution companies to invest in rehabilitation and expansion of their network.”

    The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, represented by Luck Obalo, expressed appreciation to governor Obaseki, TCN, other agencies and stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the people of the area get electricity.

  • Obaseki accuses BEDC of frustrating power purchase deal for Edo

    …Decries poor service, over-billing

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday accused the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of frustrating a power deal with Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company Limited, to supply electricity to government offices in the state capital.

    Obaseki who disclosed this at the 4th National Council on Power event, holding in the state, decried the poor supply of electricity to the state, the company’s resolve not to supply pre-paid meters to electricity consumers and its culture of over-billing its clients.

    Read Also:Obaseki mulls reforestation programme with PRESCO Plc, others

    According to the governor, BEDC in the last 12 months has been writing petitions against the deal sealed between Edo State Government and Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company Limited, for the purchase of five megawatts of electricity to light up government offices in Benin City, and stressed that the petitions have hindered the success of the purchase agreement.

    He explained that no community in the state enjoys more than eight hours of electricity supply daily despite her status as the power hub of the country.

    “195 communities have never seen electricity as BEDC is not ready to extend electricity to these communities. 128 communities have issues of collapse of infrastructure which BEDC is not prepared to fix. 219 transformers purchased by the state government and the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) as replacements for faulty transformers are yet to be installed by BEDC,” Obaseki said.

    He informed that the electricity distribution company has continued to deliver poor services to Edo people and maintained that evidence abound of deliberate attempt on the part of BEDC not to sell or distribute meters to customers.

    He added that as a government “we have extended our cooperation to resolve some of these problems, but the company has remained uncooperative.

    “The people are over-billed with the estimated billing system of BEDC. We lost a student due to the negligence of BEDC, for refusing to fix a pole that was knocked down after receiving money to fix it. I have instructed the Attorney General of Edo State to file charges of criminal negligence against the senior management of BEDC,” Obaseki said.

    Earlier, the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Louis Edozien, expressed his appreciation to the people of Edo State for the hospitality extended to the power conference participants.

    He lauded Obaseki’s approach to governance as attested to by Edo people and residents, and explained that the country currently produces 7,000MW of electricity, but regretted that it is only able to distribute 5,000MW, leaving the country with unused 2,000MW, due to transmission challenges.

  • Edo berates BEDC over poor supply of electricity to residents

    …as 4th National Council on Power commences in Benin City

     

    The Edo State Government has frowned at the poor supply of electricity by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to residents of the state.

    Representative of Governor Godwin Obaseki and Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, made the government’s position known while declaring open the 4th National Council on Power (NACOP) themed: “Increasing Access to Electricity through Improved Power Infrastructure,” held at the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said the daily average supply of electricity put at eight hours, was less than 20 percent of the estimated consumer population of 1.2 million who have post and pre-paid meters.

    Read Also: Community cries out over alleged bedc’s illegal levies, power cut

    The commissioner said that majority of the consumers are groaning under the estimated billing system with its attendant high corporate fraud on the part of BEDC, noting, “BEDC since inception has not added any value to the Infrastructure it inherited which explains the poor and deteriorated state of the power infrastructure in this part of the country.”

    He explained that the special technical committee constituted by Edo State Government to undertake a comprehensive audit of the power infrastructure in the state revealed the poor state of the infrastructure.

    According to Idiaye, BEDC personnel on the field are unprofessional in their conduct and openly engage the services of military personnel to intimidate and brutalise customers, noting, “This programme is coming at the right time as people in the state want improved access to power supply.

    “Nigerians want to have improved access to power supply and industries want to have electricity to scale up production.”

    The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu urged the federal government to make electricity more accessible to the people as it will enhance the growth of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), create employment opportunities, and boost economy activities.”

    The Commandant who was represented by the Assistant Commandant General in charge of Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Jonathan Iyogho, urged government to increase access to pre-paid meters as it will ensure payment for what is consumed and save energy due to controlled usage.

  • Education Reform: Edo Poly Usen, BEDC hold career fair

    The management of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc have entered into a partnership to deepen the input of the polytechnic’s Electrical/Electronics and Mechanical Engineering programmes, in the operations of the electricity company, starting with the hosting of a career talk and fair.

    The event, which holds on July 20 at the polytechnic premises, for the students, especially those in the departments of Electrical/Electronics and Mechanical Engineering of the institution, will host top executives of BEDC, who will be on the lookout for new recruits for the company.

    Read Also:Obaseki condemns killings of policemen in Edo

    Rector of the Edo State Polytechnic, Prof. Biodun Falodun, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said that the institution is expanding its frontiers to explore sustainable partnerships with national and multinational companies and training students to not only be employable after graduation but also self-sustaining.

    He said the partnership with BEDC is a first in the institution’s drive to court and deepen town-gown collaborations which are expected to boost the school’s capacity to better respond to the needs of the society.

    Noting that the partnership will see BEDC train and recruit graduates from the school into its workforce, he said, “Edo State Polytechnic, Usen has concluded plans to partner and collaborate with national and multinational corporations beginning with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company PLC (BEDC). This new synergy would afford BEDC the ample opportunity to recruit, train and employ graduates of the school into their workforce.”

    He said the fair is one of the strategies to actualise the dreams of Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for the school, adding, “We train and produce graduates who do not only fit into the various industries all over the world, but also create jobs for other Nigerians. I call on all well-meaning individuals and corporate entities to avail themselves of the ultra-modern equipment and competent and dedicated manpower that abound in the polytechnic.”

    Chief Corporate Service Officer, BEDC Plc, Mr. Kunbi Labiyi, said that the company was pleased to work in conjunction with the polytechnic, and is committed to organising the fair. He said the company will be on the look-out for new recruits.

  • Ex-PHCN staff electrocuted in Delta

    Ex-PHCN staff electrocuted in Delta

    An ex-staff of defunct Power Holding Company (PHCN) has been electrocuted in Agbor, Ika South L.G.A. in Delta State after power was restored to the high tension lines he was illegally working on.

    The victim who was identified as Monday Eboh, hails from Idumu Esah in Ika North East Local Government Area, was electrocuted on a high tension cable after power was turned on  by  Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    The Nation gathered that the victim lost his job and has been working privately as an electrician.

    An eye witness who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Monday was a former NEPA staff before he lost his job there, so he started working as an electrician. An electrician informed Monday of a job work, but he said he was on his way. After some time, a lady called back informing us that Monday was dead that Monday was on the high tension electric when BEDC restored power. So we rushed down to Owanta close to the second power line and met Monday dead then we rushed him to the mortuary”.

    Corporate Affairs Officer, BEDC, Asaba/Agbor, Mrs. Esther Okolie said the victim had been declared wanted by the security operatives for his illegal activities which has destroyed BEDC installations and transformers

    According to her the victim who was a staff of the organization was dismissed in 2009.

    Mrs. Okolie said that the victim was trying to illegally divert lines from one feeder to another unknown that power would be restored.

    Her words, “The electrocuted suspect has been declared wanted by the security operatives i.e. the police, SSS and by the Business Manager of BEDC Agbor for wanton destruction of our installations and transformers through his illegal activities last year. Monday Ebor who was an ex-staff but dismissed in 2009 was electrocuted at Jolly Street Ist Power-Line,Boji-Boji Owa while trying to illegally divert  lines from Owa  Feeder to another in Town Feeder  unknown to him that the Feeder that was out on load would be restored by noon”

    Read Also: Ex-PHCN staff protest non payment of N300m severance benefits

  • Edo pensioners get N244m for October payment

    Edo pensioners get N244m for October payment

    …As govt, BEDC strategise to light up state 

     

    Teachers in Edo State got N1,108,476,358.72 for their October salaries from the N2, 391,150,633 allocation accrued to the Local Government Areas from the Federation Account, while N244 million was used to pay pensioners, the Joint Account and Allocation Committee, (JAAC), has said.

    Besides, the Edo State Government has outlined strategies to engage the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to ensure stable electricity supply to residents in the state.

    Head, Local Government Administration, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, (LGA), Mr. Anthony Osa Kaduna Eboigbodin, disclosed at the end of JAAC meeting held at Government House, in Benin City and presided over by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

    Eboigbodin said the N2.4 billion allocation accrued to the 18 local government councils in the state from the Federation Account for the month of October, 2017.

    According to him, of N2,391,150,633 total allocation to the councils, N1,108,476,358 was set aside for the payment of teachers’ salaries while N244,087,081.04 was used for payment of pension. He added that the total allocation distributed to the 18 local government councils in the state is 732,850,981.56.

    Eboigbodin said other decisions reached at the meeting as directed by the Governor Obaseki was to ensure stable power supply in the state.

    He said that a committee to be chaired by the 18 commissioners, assisted by Heads of Local Government Administrations and officials of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) was set up to see to the improvement in electricity supply across the state.

    The three intervention areas include communities that have infrastructure for power supply; those with deficient power equipment, which will be fixed and others, who are not connected to the national grid, may have to wait till after the Christmas celebrations.

  • IGP sets up anti-electricity vandal response squad 

    IGP sets up anti-electricity vandal response squad 

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has sent notification to all police commands to set up an Anti- Electricity Vandal Response Squad.

    This is coming on the heels of the escalating rate of vandalism and theft of electricity distribution assets.

    Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibudu made this known to the power sector stakeholders during the 21st ministerial meeting that the power firm hosted in Asaba, Delta State. 

    She noted that despite the wider industry challenges and the sometimes very hostile and restive operating environment, the BEDC has been able to bring improvements to customer experience within the coverage area.

    She added that the company has attained an innovative and strict load management and outage schedules, which makes customers’ power availability predictable and better evenly spread in the distribution network clusters.  

    Osibudu told the stakeholders that the BEDC customers now have multiple channels of payment for their bills, adding that customers can now receive their bills through sms and emails and receive alert they make payment.

    According to her, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is in the process of standardizing allowable fines and penalties chargeable by the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) for customer/consumer infractions. 

    She noted that there is still needs for a purpose fit legislation, criminalizing theft and expeditiously dispatching such cases before it, by setting up a mobile court.

    On tariff, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO): “The seeming freeze of retail electricity tariff without proportional ‘subsidies’ to cover cost is inhibiting DisCos ability to meet their performance obligations and in essence, customer expectations. 

    “The tariff situation is at the heart of the liquidity squeeze in Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and apparent performance gaps in same as this affects the entire value chain of the electricity market.

    “This impedes DisCos ability to access the financing necessary for Operation Expenditure  (OPEX), Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and loss reduction initiatives (including customers metering). 

    “As one of the fallout of the tariff issue, DisCos balance sheets are currently in a net liability position, as tariff shortfalls are not duly accounted for in the audited financial statements.”

  • Nigeria receives $64.63m from sale of power to Benin, Niger Republics

    The Federal Government has generated $64.6 million revenue from sale of electricity to neighbouring Benin and Niger republics, Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has said.

    Fashola gave the figure in an address presented at the 21st meeting of the Power Sector Stakeholders Conference in Asaba.

    The minister said that the government had made efforts to recover the huge debt owed by its international customers to reduce liquidity challenges in the power sector.

    “Only recently, the federal government received the sum of $64.630.65 million from the republics of Benin and Niger for electricity power supplied to these two nations.

    “It is our belief that our effort at recovering some of these debts owed by our international customers will help towards the reducing liquidity challenges we face in the power sector,” Fashola said.

    Fashola said the monthly stakeholders’ conference was an avenue to assess and evaluate the progress of collective efforts at boosting power supply in the country.

    He listed some of the major challenges facing the sector to include estimated billing and inadequate prepaid meters for customers.

    The minister also used the occasion to inaugurate the New Asaba Injection Substation, a 215 MVA substation expected to boost power supply to parts of Delta.

    Fashola said: “With today’s commissioning of the New Asaba 215 MVA  interjection substation, there will now be more electricity for the people of Bonsac, Akwuebulu, Oduke and all other surrounding areas.”

    The stressed that the federal government was working assiduously towards connecting rural areas to the national grid and appealed to people in rural areas to be patient.

    “To those communities that electricity power has not reached across the country, I implore you to be patient, because we have certainly not forgotten you.

    “I want to assure you that one by one, we will get to you so that every community in Nigeria can enjoy electricity supply,” he said.

    Earlier in an address, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, the Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Company ( BEDC ), lauded the initiators of the monthly stakeholders conference.

    She said that the meeting allowed stakeholders to critically analyse their challenges and efforts towards achieving a common goal for the development of the sector.

    “This forum affords all of us an avenue to interact, understand each other and evaluate our common efforts and challenges towards achieving the goal of equitable power distribution to our people.

    “Here at the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, we have started making progress in the area of load management and we have also improved our billing system,” Osibodu said.

    The BEDC boss stated that the company, with franchise area covering Edo, Delta and Ondo states, had energised several communities that have been without electricity for years.

    She listed Ibusa and Ogwashi-Uku communities in Delta as some of the communities that BEDC has successfully energised.

    In his address, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, lauded BEDC for the inauguration and official switch-on of the New Asaba Interjection Substation, saying it would boost power supply in the area.

    Okowa, represented by the state Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Newworld Sufugha, expressed urged BEDC to focus on providing prepaid meters to its customers.

    NAN

  • FG receives N19b electricity payment from Niger, Benin

    FG receives N19b electricity payment from Niger, Benin

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Raji Babatunde Fashola Monday broke a good news to the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) that the Federal Government has received $64,630,055 (N19,712,166,775) electricity bill payment from Niger Republic and Benin Republic.

    According to him, the Nigeria Electricity Bulk Trading Company (NBET) is expected to work out the modalities before onward distribution to the DisCos.

    He spoke at the 21st Monthly Power Sector Ministerial /Stakeholders meeting at the Asaba, Delta State that Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC hosted.

    The minister had earlier commissioned the 215MVA Asaba sub-station transformer, which, he said, will reduce incidence of load shedding in the area.

    But speaking in the meeting, Fashola said that: “I have some good news for you as well. Some money has come in form the power we sell to Benin Republic and Niger Republic. People wonder why this is so. They are a product of treaties and agreements.

    “They also help our own economy.  So we have a total of $64,630,055 that has been recovered. So, NBET will work out the modality for distribution. And hopefully by next month, you too, should be able to report that you have received an alert.”

    The minister also announced that the Federal Executive Council had on approved to resolve a meter contract dispute that it entered with a contractor since 2003, but the government’s approval last Thursday resulted in a court settle which implies that the contractor can now have N37billion plus the interest that accrued over the time for provision of meters to the DisCos.

    Fashola urged the interested DisCos to liaise with the ministry and contractor for supply of meters to their customers, adding that the deal is strictly between the contractor and the power firm while the ministry is only to make the facilitation with the meter supplier.

    He however urged the parties to note that the agreements will reach on meter supply will be subject to the regulation that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is about to present.

    His words: “But on a progressive note, I am also happy to report that the approval by the Federal Executive Council to resolve a meter contract dispute entered into since 2003, has now culminated in a court settlement that was concluded on Thursday, the 9th of November.

    “What that means is that that contractor will now have N37billion plus the accrued interest of the money to make meters available to customers of DisCos. They have to work with the DisCos, so, DisCos who are interested in taking this over should contact the ministry, we will make the facilitation formally with the meters supplier. “We expect this to be bilateral contract between you and them. We don’t want to get involved. We are just going to create a link and a handshake. Some of you are presumably already talking to them to get ready because you know them.

    “The agreement you will reach with them will be subject to the regulations that is coming from NERC. So those who are concerned about meters as we promised something is being done and we are moving closer to implementation.”

    He revealed to the stakeholders that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has completed the guidelines for the operation of the Rural Electrification Fund.

    The minister explained that the fund is to provide partial capital payment (subsidy) rural electricity operators.

    The minister added that “what the fund seeks to do is to provide a partial capital payment by way of subsidy for technical assistance to eligible private rural power development operators and also to end use for communities for options as hybrid solar and to generally scale up rural access to electricity.”

    He said the fund is to facilitate investment in hybrid mini-grid, solar system and to generally scale up rural access to electricity.

    The minister noted that those that fund will serve are the unserved rural communities.

    The fund, according to him, will provide a minimum of $10,000 and maximum amount of $300,000 which 75% of the project cost.

    He said the REA will publish the guidelines and eligibility criterial in the national newspapers.

    Fashola said that the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has been lucky this year benefiting from availability of water from the hydro and experiencing peace in the Niger Delta for adequate gas supply.

    He promised that even as the rain is receding, there is sufficient gas available for firing the turbines for adequate power supply for the rest of the year.

    Speaking, the Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibudo had said that there has been a response of the Federal Government to the theft and vandalism of electricity installation through the Inspector General of Police who has established a special anti-vandal response force in the area of operation.

    She also announced that the company was making progress in the management of load and outage management.

    The Chief Executive Officer said that the BEDC has improved its bill collection method with the introduction of the billing calculator.