Protests Cripple Warri over Blackout, Alleged Corruption against Delta Govt

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Socio-economic activities were Thursday paralysed in some parts of Warri and its environs in Delta State as hundreds of people marched through the major roads protesting the incessant hardship occasioned by electricity blackout, bad roads and alleged corruption by the state government.

As early as 9a.m., the protesting people, young and old, gathered at the popular Orhuwhorun in Udu Local Government Area of the state with various placards condemning the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and Delta State Government for the hardship they are passing through.

The Coordinator of the protest, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) led by Mr. Kehinde Taiga and his executive members, marched the aggrieved residents through the major roads chanting anti-state government and BEDC songs.

Some of the placards read thus: “Anti-corruption peaceful protest”,”Say No to corruption”, “We want light”, “Pay LG salaries”, “FG revoke BEDC licence and “No road, No Light, We are Living in darkness,” among others.

Addressing the protesters later, Taiga decried the non-challant attitude of the state government towards making life suitable for the people of the state.
He lamented that the people of the state had not been reaping dividends of democracy since the present administration came into power last year.

The CDHR, Delta State branch chairman wondered the essence of having a government if not for the provision of basic amenities that would make living worthwhile for her people.
Also speaking at the event, former National President of CDHR, Mr. Sunny Enenewedia wondered what the state government had used the over N124 billion that had accrued to the state on and yet the roads are deplorable, no salaries for local government workers and no light for the comfort of the people.

“We don’t know what this government has been doing since it came into office. There has been no light, the roads are deplorable, they are not paying salaries to local government workers.

“We are inviting the EFCC to come and look into the accounts of Delta State Government. Let them account for all the monies received since last year because we are at a loss as to what they are doing with our commonwealth,” he lamented.
Enenewedia also called on the federal government to revoke the licence of the BEDC for allegedly defrauding the people through its estimated bills as well as refusal to make available prepaid meters.

He observed that most part of the states have not been enjoying constant electricity and in some instances total blackout over periods ranging from three to six months and yet bills were sent monthly.