In a decisive move aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of epileptic power supply across Delta State, the Delta State Government on Monday engaged the management team of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in a high-level strategic meeting to seek lasting solutions to the worsening electricity situation affecting residents and businesses across the state.
The meeting, which was presided over by the Deputy Governor of Delta State His Excellency Sir Monday Onyeme, at the Government House, focused extensively on the urgent need to improve electricity supply, with the state government expressing serious concerns over the growing security implications of unstable power in several communities.
Speaking during the meeting, His Excellency the Deputy Governor noted that the issue of inadequate electricity supply has become a major concern to the state government, noting that beyond its economic impact, the persistent outages are increasingly posing a security threat across the state.
He reiterated the commitment of the administration of His Excellency Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to continuously intervene and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve power supply, stressing that access to stable electricity remains critical to the state’s development agenda and the wellbeing of its citizens.
Responding on behalf of BEDC, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jonathan Lawani, acknowledged Delta State’s significant contribution to the company’s revenue base and commended the peaceful atmosphere that has continued to make the state one of the most stable operational environments within BEDC’s coverage areas.
“Delta remains the most peaceful state among all the states we serve, and we are pleased to be here to strengthen our partnership with the state government”.
“We are fully aware of the commitment and investments the Delta State Government has been making to support improved electricity supply,” Lawani stated.
He assured the government and residents that BEDC is already taking practical steps to improve electricity distribution in key parts of the state, specifically promising enhanced power supply to Utagba-Ogbe (Kwale) and neighboring communities, including Ozoro, Eku, the DSC axis, and other major cities across the state.
Addressing one of the most pressing concerns raised during the meeting, the Delta State Commissioner for Energy, Engr. Michael Anoka FNSE, highlighted the widespread issue of inadequate metering and the burden of estimated billing on residents, describing it as one of the major challenges confronting electricity consumers in the state.
According to Engr. Anoka, the absence of adequate prepaid meters has continued to fuel complaints over community billing and arbitrary charges, calling on BEDC to urgently intensify efforts toward ensuring proper metering for households and businesses across Delta State.
“The lack of metering and the continued use of estimated billing remain among the major problems we are facing in Delta State”.
“Addressing this challenge is essential if we must eliminate community billing and restore consumer confidence in the power sector,” Anoka said.
The BEDC Managing Director assured stakeholders that the company currently has available meters that will be deployed to Delta State as part of immediate efforts to close the metering gap and improve service delivery, while working seriously to improve power supply across the state.
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