BEDC TO WORK WITH EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT TO RESTORE LIGHT TO AIYEKIRE,EKITI EAST

By Funke Oyerinde

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has promised to

energize the transformers and commence supply of electricity to

Ayekire LCDA and Ekiti East LGA  after about over ten years of being

in blackout.

The development was part of the outcome of a tripartite meeting

organized on recent by the State Government in Ado Ekiti with

representatives of BEDC and the affected communities having various

Kabiyesis or their representatives in attendance.

The State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof.

Bolaji Aluko disclosed that the meeting was able to resolve

outstanding grey areas as a prelude to the eventual reconnection of

the area to the national grid.

The Commissioner explained that the efforts of government to restore

electricity to the area was in fulfillment of the Governor Biodun

Oyebanji’s campaign promises and a strong indication of the commitment

of the present administration to the welfare of the people. .

 the Biodun Oyebanji administration would not compromise any attempt

to circumvent the payment of utility bills,

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, it was noted that

all stakeholders were committed to the restoration of electricity to

the affected areas and commended Governor Oyebanji for his efforts at

ending the age long darkness experienced by the people of the area.

Other consensus reached at the meeting are the provision of post-paid

meters, constitution of a team to organize a consumer census and audit

committee, as well as settlement of electricity bills after

enumeration of the houses in the affected areas.

According to the communique, the Electricity Distribution company

should be transparent and accessible to the communities for their

complaints, while the communities should protect electrical

installations against vandalisation and theft.emphasizing that

consumers would transit from the post-paid meter regime to prepaid

meters in the nearest future.

While the Biodun Oyebanji administration would not compromise any

attempt to circumvent the payment of utility bills the  agreement

stated further that BEDC should strongly consider reverting the bad

debts owned by the communities.

In his remarks, the Owaateju of Iro Ayeteju, Oba G S O Ajayi, who

spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers in the affected

communities, expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for

fulfilling his campaign promise to restore light to the area within

his first year in office.

Also speaking, the Regional Head, Benin Electricity Distribution

Company, Mrs Moyo Akin Afuye lauded the efforts of Governor Oyebanji

in his resolve to restoring electricity supply to the affected

communities, and pledged BEDC's readiness to work with all

Stakeholders at making lives worthwhile in the area.