Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Asaba have arrested a man, Aliu Junior Fayemi, for allegedly diverting and selling electricity meters that were meant to be distributed free of charge under the Federal Government’s Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP). His arrest followed a complaint filed by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over the disappearance of meters intended for its customers.
According to reports, the suspect sold the diverted meters to several people in Asaba, collecting ₦145,000 for single-phase meters and ₦250,000 for three-phase meters.
This act goes against the aim of the programme, which was designed to provide meters to customers at no cost in order to reduce the country’s metering gap. BEDC said the meters have since been retrieved from those who bought them.
The Regional Head of BEDC in Asaba, Gboyega Agunlejika, confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspect has been handed over to the police for prosecution. He also noted that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other individuals who may have been involved in the illegal sale.
Reacting to the development, BEDC’s Acting Managing Director, Engr. Jonathan Lawani, warned customers against purchasing meters from private individuals, even under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
He urged the public to always use the company’s official channels when seeking to obtain meters to ensure transparency and accountability in the process.
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