Students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, have lamented the persistent power outages in the university community and are calling on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to improve electricity supply, especially in off-campus areas.
The students made their complaints while speaking with our reporter over the weekend, describing the erratic power supply as a major disruption to their academic and daily activities.
Comrade Confidence Telije, a 400-level Mass Communication student and Senator representing the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies in the Students’ Union Government, said the unstable electricity supply has taken a toll on her routine. According to her, if power supply were rated on a scale of 100, she would give it 50.
“I can’t say I enjoy the light, but I also can’t say there is none,” she explained. “The supply is inconsistent and unsatisfactory. Sometimes they bring light at night, other times there is nothing at all. I often have to go to campus at night to read ‘Awoko’ because most departments have electricity. Without power to charge my phone or laptop, it becomes difficult to read my slides or type assignments.”
She appealed to BEDC to introduce a fixed electricity schedule so students can plan ahead.
Similarly, the Vice President of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Comrade Valerie Hilary, also a 400-level Mass Communication student, expressed frustration over the frequent blackouts. She recounted an incident where she had to attend lectures in wrinkled clothes because a power outage prevented her from ironing.
Another student, Deborah Ewajane, a 300-level Pharmacology student, confirmed the situation, saying electricity is only available occasionally in her area. “There’s no light to read at night or charge my phone and power bank. I usually have to go to pay-charge. Most times, when we resume, power supply is very poor,” she said.
She also urged electricity authorities to at least provide a timetable for power distribution so residents know when to expect electricity.
Sharing similar concerns, Rejoice Ovie, a 300-level Accounting student, noted that the frequent blackouts have affected many off-campus students, forcing them to seek alternative means to carry out their academic work.
She called on BEDC management to ensure a more regulated and reliable power supply in areas surrounding the DELSU campus.
