BEDC TO WORK WITH EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT TO RESTORE LIGHT TO AIYEKIRE, EKITI EAST

By Funke Oyerinde

 

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has promised to energize the transformers and commence supply of electricity to Ayekire LCDA and Ekiti East LGA after about over ten years of being in blackout.

 

The development was part of the outcome of a tripartite meeting organized on recently by the State Government in Ado Ekiti with representatives of BEDC and the affected communities having various Kabiyesis or their representatives in attendance.

 

The State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko disclosed that the meeting was able to resolve outstanding grey areas as a prelude to the eventual reconnection of the area to the national grid.

 

The Commissioner explained that the efforts of government to restore electricity to the area was in fulfillment of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s campaign promises and a strong indication of the commitment of the present administration to the welfare of the people. .

 

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, it was noted that all stakeholders were committed to the restoration of electricity to the affected areas and commended Governor Oyebanji for his efforts at ending the age long darkness experienced by the people of the area.

 

Other consensus reached at the meeting are the provision of post-paid meters, constitution of a team to organize a consumer census and audit committee, as well as settlement of electricity bills after enumeration of the houses in the affected areas.

 

According to the communique, the Electricity Distribution company should be transparent and accessible to the communities for their complaints, while the communities should protect electrical installations against vandalisation and theft. It emphasized that consumers would transit from the post-paid meter regime to prepaid meters in the nearest future.

 

While the Biodun Oyebanji administration would not compromise any attempt to circumvent the payment of utility bills the agreement stated further that BEDC should strongly consider reverting the bad debts owned by the communities.

 

In his remarks, the Owaateju of Iro Ayeteju, Oba G S O Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers in the affected communities, expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his campaign promise to restore light to the area within his first year in office.

 

Also speaking, the Regional Head, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Mrs Moyo Akin Afuye lauded the efforts of Governor Oyebanji in his resolve to restoring electricity supply to the affected communities, and pledged BEDC's readiness to work with all Stakeholders at making lives worthwhile in the area.