By: Erugo Precious
Residents of Asaba and Igbuzo in Delta State have voiced strong dissatisfaction over the persistent power outage in their communities, declaring that the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has “failed woefully” in its responsibility to provide stable and reliable electricity.
The growing outcry follows prolonged blackout and erratic power distribution in the state capital and surrounding communities — a development that has severely disrupted socio-economic activities and daily life.
Reacting to the situation, the State Chairman of the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN), Comrade Ike Philip Abiagom, conveyed the grievances of aggrieved residents, describing BEDC’s performance as glaringly inadequate.
“The residents of Asaba and Igbuzo are miffed at BEDC’s failure to deliver electricity to the people and for throwing the entire state into darkness,” he said.
Abiagom lamented what he described as the distribution company’s unprofessional attitude of “sitting on their hands while subscribers — most of whom have paid their bills in full — continue to suffer the socio-economic consequences of their incompetence.”
He further criticised BEDC for what he termed insensitivity to the plight of its customers, noting that the company had not deemed it necessary to issue a public apology for the prolonged inconveniences caused to millions of residents across Delta State.
According to him, the lingering blackout has crippled small and medium-scale businesses, forced households to depend heavily on costly alternative power sources, and compounded the economic challenges already confronting the people.
Stakeholders have therefore urged the Delta State Government to intervene decisively by reviving and completing all abandoned Independent Power Plant (IPP) projects across the state. Particular emphasis was placed on the completion of the Okpai Independent Power Plant Phase 2 project, which residents believe could significantly enhance power generation capacity and improve electricity supply to communities in Delta State.
The residents appealed to the Governor to demonstrate firm and proactive leadership in resolving the lingering power crisis, stressing that reliable electricity remains essential for job creation, investment attraction, security and the overall well-being of Deltans.
As frustrations continue to mount, citizens say they are counting on swift government intervention to restore stability in the power sector, stimulate economic activities and ensure that Delta State does not remain in prolonged darkness.
For many residents, the message is clear and unequivocal: the time for urgent and concrete action to secure stable and reliable electricity for the people of Delta State is now.