In a move to safeguard the energy future of their citizens, the Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Ondo State, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Jaiyeola Alabi, has held a high-level strategy session with his counterparts from Ekiti, Delta, and Edo States—all within the operational coverage of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The virtual conference, convened by Engr. Alabi, focused on addressing longstanding challenges in electricity distribution, particularly the issues of asset delineation and attracting credible investors for a full takeover and upgrade of BEDC’s infrastructure.
According to him, BEDC has consistently failed to meet expectations, leaving communities to finance transformers, poles, and cables by themselves. He further highlighted that BEDC’s claim of owning all assets acquired during privatization has remained highly controversial, sparking disputes between the Ondo State Government (ODSG), the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), and BEDC. He noted that the company neither had a formal agreement with the state on asset usage nor offered compensation for ongoing utilization.
“BEDC has grossly underperformed in Ondo and other states. Without a bold intervention, the electricity sector in our region will remain stagnant, with dire consequences for our citizens and economic growth,” Alabi warned.
Supporting this position, the immediate past Ekiti State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utility, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, criticized BEDC’s inefficiency, especially its inability to address transmission bottlenecks. He stressed the need for fresh power injection into the states, stating that the current BEDC–national grid structure cannot sustain long-term development.
Prof. Aluko also called for a forensic review of BEDC’s financial records to enable states to properly evaluate opportunities for investor-led reforms.
At the end of deliberations, the Commissioners resolved to:
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Secure a full financial disclosure of BEDC’s operations.
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Draft a joint letter to BEDC to formally communicate their collective stance.
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Review the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) asset delineation exercise to confirm alignment with records of state-funded electricity networks.
Also present at the meeting were Hon. Washington Osa-Osifo, Ph.D. (Edo State), and Hon. Sunday Tataobuzogwu (Delta State).
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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