Edo Govt Meets NERC, BEDC, Ossioma On Improved Power Distribution

Edo State Government last week, held a meeting with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company BEDC and Ossioma Power Company in a bid to resolve power crisis in the state.
The meeting which was held at the Government House, Benin City, was
Presided over by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu
At the end of the over seven hours meeting which ended at about 10pm, it was resolved that Ossiomo Power Company could provide electricity to government institutions while power for public consumption would pass through the Benin Distribution power Company.
Briefing journalists shortly after the meeting, the State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Mr Akinola Agbaje threw more light on resolutions reached to ensure proper electrification of the state backed by adequate power generation and supply by the distribution company to ensure consumers are not charged outrageous fees, through estimated billing.
Speaking on the power purchase agreement, Director Ossiomo Power Company Mr Uwa Igiehon explained that with the resolution of the dispute with BEDC, he assured that the project construction started in November 2018 would be completed in a few months.
The Managing Director, BEDC, Mrs Funke Osibodu explained that the DISCO will commence metering in a few weeks’ time with a third party company going from street to street doing enumeration and giving meters to residents, to ensure all households get metered.
The BEDC MD restated that consumers were not supposed to pay for purchase and repairs of faulty facilities, especially transformers, blaming corrupt officials for extorting residents, with the call on residents to report corrupt officials to their superiors.
She however pleaded with government to help secure and save their facilities from vandalisation.
Expressing confidence in the dialogue process, the Public Relations Officer, Edo Civil Society Organization, Osazee Edigin said he will be monitoring the implementation of decisions reached at the meeting for the benefit of Edo people.
The Power purchase agreement between Edo state government and Ossiomo Power Investment was signed in 2017 under the state’s electrification project, while regulatory approval was given in 2018.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof James Momoh has said the commission will encourage tripartite power generation arrangements, where states could go into agreement with power generating companies to transmit same to distribution companies for immediate use in their state.
Momoh said the issues arising from the power purchase pact involving the Edo State Government, BEDC, and Ossiomo Power Company will be resolved amicably, adding that the working pact will be replicated in other states.

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Kadiri Christopher

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