Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) has attributed the degenerating
level of electricity supply to its customers in its operational areas of
Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti States to low power generation received from the
national grid occasioned by gas shortage due to pipeline vandalism.
This was disclosed last Friday by the company’s chief head, Edo State,
Engr. Fidelis Obishai at a meeting between the company’s management team
and the governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Obishai noted that the serious drop in power generation was affecting
BEDC’s ability to distribute power to customers despite its installed
capacity of 800 megawatts, stressing that what it gets as a distribution
company hovers between 130 and 150 megawatts daily.
“We take no joy in not giving power supply to the people but due to the
present low power generation, we are constrained,” Obishai said.
On disconnected communities, Obishai disclosed that any communities
affected were based on non-payment of electricity bills, adding that once
the people comply, power supply would be restored immediately.
“We do not disconnect indiscriminately but those who owe debts. For
instance, in Auchi, there was a violent protest that resulted in damage of
nine operational vehicles and offices and there is a recorded threat to
life which is a major challenge.” BEDC is very disposed to engaging such
communities in dialogue on the best way to resolving such issues no matter
the level of grievances,” he added.
According to him, BEDC has submitted a formal petition to the Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Federal Ministry of Power and the
Edo State commissioner of police.
On high electricity bill to consumers, Obishai said that there was a tariff
review with effect from February 2016 approved by the regulatory agency,
NERC, pointing out that the tariff regime was essentially designed to
salvage the power sector and encourage continuous investments.
“BEDC has put in place a process to avoid arbitrary billing of customers,
be it industrial or residential, and we ensure that customer complaints on
billing are addressed with urgency. On metering, we have a robust metering
programme which is being implemented religiously. However, the metering gap
is huge and could not be covered within a short time. For customers without
meters they are being billed on estimation in line with NERC approved
estimated billing methodology,” he concluded.
Governor Oshiomhole had complained over poor supply to Edo State, the
recent disconnection of some communities in Edo north and high billing to
its consumers.