Electricity consumers accuse BEDC of extortion in Agbor
Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Electricity consumers in Agbor metropolis in Delta state on Friday protested against what they described as the inhumane extortion by officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and are demanding for the abolition of estimated billing.
The protesters carried various placards with inscriptions such as “BEDC officials stop extorting us”; “We want prepaid meters to save us from embarrassment”; “We are tired of extortion and we will not take this again from BEDC officials”; “We have paid over N1.5 million in the last few months and no power supply.”
Leader of the Protesters, Vincent Arimokwu, who spoke to Journalists said the demand for prepaid meters was vital towards ensuring that residents cooperate with the distribution company, adding that as a result of frustration the people have taken a position that either prepaid meters are provided or the electricity distribution company leaves the town in peace.
He stated that the Ika people are fed up with the outrageous estimated bills they receive monthly for power allegedly consumed while the BEDC smiles to the bank on a daily basis.
Arimokwu complained that in spite of two additional transformers installed in Agbor, the people still suffer from days without power, but are however, confronted with outrageous bills on monthly basis, saying that the demand for prepaid meters was long overdue.
While frowning at the development where consumers are made to pay to N6, 000 per home for replacement of vandalized transformers, Airmokwu noted that activities of the BEDC in Ika land needs critical examination by the electricity regulating body.
He drew attention to high tension cables that are very low in most area as it poses great danger to residents, including broken down electricity poles and wires left unattended by officials BEDC in Agbor, adding that businesses in Ika land were dying on daily basis because of inadequate power supply.
Reacting to the allegations by the protesters, the Agbor BEDC Business Manager, Timothy Adeleye, said that the BEDC was faced with various challenges, adding that very soon the issues raised would be given serious attention and consideration.
