BEDC receives 75,000 free meters, warns customers against payment

Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) says it has received 75,000 electricity meters from the Federal Government under the ongoing free metering programme, with installation already underway across its franchise states.

The Managing Director of BEDC Electricity Plc, Mr Jonathan Lawani, disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement in Benin on Thursday.

Lawani said the company was expecting a total of 161,000 meters under the programme, covering its four franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti.

He explained that Edo State had been allocated over 38,000 meters, distributed across BEDC’s three operational regions in the state which include Benin, Uromi and Auchi.

“We have received 75,000 meters for BEDC for the four states of Ondo, Edo, Delta and Ekiti.

“The programme will deliver 161,000 meters for BEDC. Edo State alone has been allocated over 38,000 meters.

“Out of the four states we serve, we allocated 38,000 to the three regions in Edo State, and installation is ongoing,” Lawani said.

He cautioned customers against paying for the meters or installation, stressing that they are provided free of charge under the Federal Government initiative.

Lawani also raised concern that some customers were rejecting the meters based on the misconception that metering increases electricity consumption.

The BEDC boss urged residents to report any illegal charges or irregularities and warned against electricity theft, noting that offenders would be sanctioned.

In his remarks, the Edo Commissioner for Power, Mr Paul Usenbor, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving electricity supply and establishing a meter assembly plant in the state.

Usenbor said Gov. Monday Okpebholo had prioritised the provision of reliable, round-the-clock power supply across Edo.

He noted that the stakeholders’ engagement reflected a strong commitment to infrastructure development, improved service delivery, standardised metering and faster response to customer complaints.

“The long-term goal is to ensure better power supply for citizens and public institutions.

“The long-term plan also involves increased participation of private sector partners in the state.

“His Excellency has mandated that a meter assembly plant will be set up in Edo State,” Usenbor said.