Edo Governor Meets BEDC to Address Power Supply Issues

On Tuesday, Governor Mondai Okpebholo convened a critical meeting with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to discuss persistent power outages and billing complaints that had led to protests in Benin City. The governor highlighted the complexity of the issues, stressing the necessity for broader engagement with key stakeholders in the electricity value chain.

He noted that while BEDC is not generating power, it must address the challenges residents face, including billing discrepancies and inadequate supply. Currently, Edo State requires 760 megawatts to adequately serve its franchise area but only receives 260 megawatts.

Engr. Jonathan Lawani, the Managing Director and CEO of BEDC, clarified that the company cannot arbitrarily increase or decrease tariffs and is working with the federal government to facilitate the deployment of free meters.

The governor urged residents to remain calm and assured them that their concerns would not be ignored, emphasizing a commitment to improving power supply and service delivery.