By: Ike Philip Abiagom – Newsbreeze
ASABA – Residents of the COBO-1 Transformer area in Ezenei, Asaba, have raised concerns over the continued power outage in their community, calling on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and the Delta State Government to urgently restore electricity supply to the area.
The residents alleged that they have been without electricity for nearly two months following the collapse of power infrastructure caused by a recent rainstorm accompanied by strong winds that damaged several electricity poles within the community.
According to community members, the damaged poles were promptly reported to the BEDC office in Ezenei with the expectation of a swift response. However, they expressed disappointment that despite repeated complaints and follow-up visits, electricity has yet to be restored.
Residents further disclosed that although replacement poles have since been erected, BEDC officials are yet to reconnect the transmission wires needed to restore power to homes and businesses served by the COBO-1 Transformer.
They questioned the delay, asking how much longer it would take the electricity distribution company to complete the reconnection process and return the community to the national grid.
Some residents also alleged that officials of the company had advised the community to purchase replacement electric poles to facilitate repairs, a request they rejected on the grounds that maintaining and replacing damaged infrastructure falls within the responsibilities of the distribution company.
The community recalled a similar experience about two years ago when the transformer developed a major fault, leaving residents in darkness for almost a year. According to them, the prolonged outage was eventually resolved only after residents contributed funds to repair the transformer themselves following what they described as delays in intervention by the electricity provider.
They further alleged that after the repairs were completed, certain unauthorized demands were made before reconnection could be carried out, a situation they said was eventually addressed through the intervention of a BEDC Regional Manager.
Expressing frustration over what they described as a recurring pattern of neglect, residents said the current blackout has severely affected businesses, households, and economic activities within the area.
We have endured months of hardship due to the lack of electricity. Small businesses are suffering, families are struggling, and daily life has become increasingly difficult. We appeal to BEDC and the Delta State Government to intervene and ensure that power is restored without further delay, a resident said.
The affected residents have therefore appealed to the management of BEDC, particularly the Regional Manager, as well as the Delta State Government, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the delay and ensure the immediate restoration of electricity to the COBO-1 Transformer area.
They stressed that reliable electricity remains critical to economic development, security, and the overall well-being of residents, urging authorities to treat the matter as a priority.