Okpebholo Joins Protest Against BEDC Oppressions

Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Monday joined youths and residents of Benin City to protest the lingering blackout and billing concerns linked to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

Addressing the crowd at the Ring Road axis of the Benin metropolis, Governor Okpebholo urged calm and promised swift stakeholders’ engagement.

While clarifying that BEDC is privately owned and not directly controlled by the state government, the governor assured that concrete steps would be taken to address the concerns raised.

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“The only way we can fight this is to bring new investors into the business of distribution. We will break the monopoly. We want to operate like the telecom sector, where you have alternatives. Bringing in more investors will give our people options,” he stated.

He announced that a stakeholders’ meeting would be held on Tuesday and urged the protesters to nominate five representatives to participate.

“We need to engage them to see how we can bring in more investors into the business of electricity distribution. Once that is done, we will all be more assured of stable power. Let us remain calm and allow the engagement to take place,” the governor appealed.

Spokesperson for the protesters, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi lamented that residents across the state were compelled to protest against BEDC oppressions.

“We pay for light and they give us darkness.”