Electricity: BEDC Allocation Grossly Inadequate

James Sowole in Akure

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), said the nine per cent of the total power generation allocated to the company for distribution to four states under its jurisdiction is grossly inadequate.

The BEDC Chief State Head for Ondo and Ekiti states, Mrs Kunbi Labiyi stated this during a chat with journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

According to her, the total generation is about 3,526 MW out of which the BEDC is given nine per cent amounting to 317.35 MW to serve Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states is grossly inadequate.

“Nigeria is at major disadvantage because of what we generate. Federal Government is generating 3526 MW presently. Nine percent of this is allocated for BEDC which 317.35 MW to serve Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti States.

“Out of this allocation of BEDC, only, 58.39 MW is for the power consumers in Ondo State. This is grossly inadequate. Load management is the solution for now to ensure that all customers are taking care of “, she said.

Labiyi said ideal thing is 1000 MW to one million people and with about 170 million population, Nigeria needs between 150,000 to 200,000 MW adding that what we have now cannot reach every all electricity consumers at the same time.

The BEDC boss lamented that it was unfortunate that many despite the fact that the distribution company was working under a deficit condition, some consumers are still engaging in sharp practices to defraud the company.

She there declared that any consumer caught stealing electricity in any manner would be arrested and made to face the law of the land.

Labiyi said the BEDC is in total support of the Federal Government’s move to extend whistle blowing as a way of catching energy thieves adding that the move is a welcome development.

Labiyi called on the Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to cause the House of Assembly to make law to prosecute people that steal energy.

She said the company had made settlement of bills easier with the introduction of payment through online, cash deposit in banks, Point of Sales, (POS) among others adding that BEDC has about 30 POS agents in Ondo State just as it has in other states of its jurisdiction.

On safety, the BEDC said it had intensified enlightenment on the danger of building structures under under power lines and network

Labiyi said it is dangerous for anybody to erect structure under power network because it can cause disaster in case of wire snap or fallen cable.

She said BEDC has written to the authority that has the power to demolish such illegal structure as well as disconnect them from having access to power.