CDHR Gives BEDC 14-Day Ultimatum Over Alleged Customer Rights Violations In Delta

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Delta State Branch, has given the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) 14 days to address alleged customer rights violations and convene town hall meetings across its operational areas in the state.

The organisation issued the ultimatum during a visit to BEDC’s Warri Regional Office on Tuesday, where it called for the immediate dissolution of what it described as illegal electricity committees operating in communities across Delta State.

The delegation, led by the CDHR State Chairman, Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, was received by the Regional Head of BEDC’s Warri Office, Mr Curtis Nwadei.

During the visit, CDHR acknowledged BEDC management’s efforts to improve electricity distribution in parts of the state, including the introduction of service bands.

However, Agberen said the organisation’s findings from years of monitoring electricity distribution in Delta State indicated that the rights of consumers, as provided for under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Customer Protection Regulations, were being disregarded.

The group identified alleged metering fraud, ghost billing, vandalism, negligence, delayed repairs, overbilling and accumulated electricity debts among the issues affecting consumers.

It also raised concerns over disparities in electricity supply and tariffs across communities, as well as the activities of what it described as illegal electricity committees, which it alleged prevented customers from accessing BEDC management directly.

CDHR demanded the immediate dissolution of the committees and the prosecution of those found culpable in their operations.

It further called on BEDC to take full responsibility for the repair and replacement of damaged transformers, electricity poles and cables.

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The organisation also demanded town hall meetings across BEDC’s four units or branches in Delta State, with electricity consumers, community leaders and civil society organisations participating in discussions aimed at resolving the identified challenges.

It called for uniform and transparent billing practices in line with NERC guidelines.

CDHR warned that failure by BEDC to comply with its demands within 14 days would result in a large-scale peaceful protest across the state to defend the rights of electricity consumers.

Responding, Nwadei expressed appreciation for the organisation’s visit and pledged that BEDC would operate in accordance with the NERC Customer Protection Regulations.

He also promised that the company would take disciplinary action against staff found engaging in questionable practices or conduct inconsistent with its established standards.

Nwadei further agreed to initiate town hall meetings through the various business managers overseeing the nine local government areas under the Warri Region.

CDHR said it would monitor BEDC’s compliance with the commitments made during the meeting.

The statement was signed by Agberen, the state chairman, and Comrade Nosa Overseey, the state publicity secretary.

The organisation reiterated that electricity consumers deserved dignity, transparency and accountability in the provision of services.