Electricity: BEDC cuts off Delta community over N4.16m debt

Sequel to alleged power consumption debt of about N4.16million, the people of Ugbolu in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and within the State Capital Territory, has been placed on perpetual darkness by the authorities of Benin Electricity Power Distribution Company (BEDC) for several months now, thereby crippling commercial activities in the community and environs.

Making a clarion call in an interview with our reporter at Ugbolu, a community leader, Ogbueshi Christopher Okonkwo, Ezeudo of Ugbolu, has appealed to the Chief Whip and member representing Oshimili North Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr Princess Ajudua, to come to the rescue of the residents of Ugbolu by taking all necessary steps to assist the people and ameliorating the suffering of the people of the area.

Okonkwo alleged that the authorities of BEDC only supplied power to Ugbolu between April and August 2016; and served them with a power consumption bill of N4.16 million, adding that “except we get help from higher authorities Ugbolu community may remain in perpetual darkness for a very long time”.

Also speaking, a public affair commentator, Comrade David Okonkwo Agoke, a resident of Ugbolu, further appealed to the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, at the federal House of Representatives, Hon. (Evang) Onyemaechi Mrakpor to come to their rescue, by ensuring the restoration of light to Ugbolu community.

Meanwhile, suspected gang rapists and robbers, strongly believed to be of Fulani extraction, have allegedly invaded the farmlands in some parts of Okpanam Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State.

The areas of the community allegedly under serious threats include the Abodei Camp in Obodogwugwu Quarters, as well as the satellite towns belonging to Ogbeojie/Amachai Quarters, as the suspects usually go in cluster groups, armed with some dangerous weapons and, in most cases with wild dogs to supplement their offensive antics.

Narrating her ordeal to our reporter, a lucky woman, who escaped death by the whiskers at Abodei Camp in Obodogwugwu Quarters last Wednesday, who did not want her name in print said, “if not for the timely intervention of God, who brought in a commercial motorcycle (okada) man who my husband had earlier phoned to carry me with my bags of cassava, the Fulani men would have rape-killed me in the farm as they had surrounded me before the sudden arrival of the okada man and five of them suddenly dispersed into the bush”.

She lamented that these days, women hardly to their farms alone, unless they are accompanied by their husbands or other male farmers, for protection.

Also recounting his experience, at Ogbeojie New Site, one Pastor Chris alleged that “these Fulani men who are usually armed with dangerous weapons have often invaded my compound with over 10 giant wild dogs, at times, threatened to attack me for challenging them to stop destroying my crops in the farm”.

Farmers in Obodogba Quarters, have also complained that within the past few months, a combined team of robbers suspected to be of Fulani extraction with their counter parts from Ebonyi State (Abakaliki people) have been involved in massive harvest of yams in their farms, as over 30 farmers have so far allegedly lost about 100 tubers of yam each in their farms, a situation which has forced most Obodogba farmers to embark on the speedy harvesting of their produce and carting them home immediately.

A farmer, Ogbueshi Austin Nwaedozie said he has so far lost over 105 tubers of yam to these robbers.