Aggrieved youths from Okpanam, in Oshimili North LGA, Delta State, blocked the entrance to the Delta State Government House, Asaba, protesting prolonged power blackout imposed on the community by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The protesting youths, on Thursday, marched through several major roads in the state capital, chanting protest songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions, including: “We say no to BEDC,” “Supply power to Okpanam,” “Enough is enough,” and “Stop the exploitation, BEDC.”
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the President-General of the Okpanam Youth Organization, Mr Lucky Okolo, the protesters stated that the situation was “exacerbated by the company’s continued imposition of heavy estimated electricity bills, which do not reflect actual consumption and place an undue financial burden on our people.”
“For several years, Okpanam has been plunged into darkness, with no consistent or reliable power supply despite repeated complaints and appeals to BEDC.
“The company’s failure to restore electricity, coupled with its insistence on exorbitant estimated billing, demonstrates a blatant disregard for the welfare of our residents.
“The lack of electricity has had devastating effects on our community. Small and medium enterprises, as well as households, are struggling to function, leading to economic stagnation and job losses,” the letter read.
“The company’s failure to address technical faults, invest in infrastructure, or respond to our community’s complaints indicates a systemic issue that demands intervention at the highest levels of government,” the letter read.
The protesters urged the Delta governor to see the BEDC’s failure to provide reliable electricity as a direct threat to public safety.
Responding, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Johnson Erijo, assured them that Governor Oborevwori was in the final stages of implementing a legislative framework aimed at resolving the state’s power supply challenges.
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