The Public Relations Officer at the Asaba office of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) was unable to give a clear explanation for the persistent and erratic power supply that has affected Asaba and nearby communities since early 2026.
The outage has hit major towns such as Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa, leaving much of the Delta State capital area and surrounding communities in almost complete darkness for several weeks.
Student journalists undergoing industrial training with the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) visited the BEDC office seeking answers but received little clarity. The PRO declined to respond to their questions, explaining that the relevant official was not available and suggesting that the Asaba office might not be in a position to address the issue. She advised them to take their inquiries to BEDC’s headquarters in Benin instead.
Residents say the prolonged blackout has taken a heavy toll on everyday life. Water scarcity has worsened because electric pumps cannot operate, and many small and medium-sized businesses including barbershops, tailoring shops, business centres, and panel-beating workshops have either closed temporarily or reduced their activities.
Families have also reported food going bad due to non-working freezers, while the intense heat has made conditions even more difficult for those who cannot power fans or cooling systems. Although some households depend on generators, the rising cost of fuel has made it increasingly expensive to keep them running.
Despite growing frustration among residents, BEDC has not yet made any public statement indicating when stable electricity supply will be restored.
