Youths chase BEDC officers over disconnection from national grid

By Austin Oyibode

It was a big drama as staff members of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) were chased out of office by irate youths of Isoko in Delta State following their worry over the prolonged power outage in the area.

The youths, who were drawn from both Isoko North and South under the aegis of Isoko Progressive Youth Centre, displayed various placards with inscriptions such as “NO To Vandalism, We Need Light, Isoko Says Enough is Enough and We No Go Gree Oh”.

The youths accused the company of cutting them off from the national grid since October 21 over some irregularities in payment of their bills. Hence, the area had lacked power supply while other parts of the state has continued enjoying electricity.

In a protest letter signed by President and Secretary of the group, Comrade Anthony Ogbalor and Comrade Clifford Ojah, the youths said the power outage had crippled business activities in the Isoko communities.

They therefore called for urgent reconnection of the area so as to forestall further action against the company.

Efforts made to speak with Ughelli BEDC Manager who is also in charge of distribution to Isoko axis proved abortive as he was said to be on official engagement outside the area.

Some Isoko residents, who were approached for comments, said they were fed up with the activities of the power holding company following the long absence of light in the area, noting that the absence of light had caused economic activities in the area to be on standstill.

Our correspondent who visited BEDC offices in Oleh and Ozoro reports that their gates were virtually under lock and key while the security guards were the only persons found on duty as at the time of filing this report.

It was learnt that Isoko Development Union (IDU) had waded into the matter in order to calm frayed nerves while a meeting has been slated to hold with the two chairmen of Isoko North and South as part of strategies to settle the issues.