Protest in Asaba over six months blackout

From Osakhare Erese Asaba

Massive protest on Monday unsettled some parts of Asaba, Delta state following the alleged failure by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to provide light.
The protesters, many of whom from Behind NItel,Nnebisi road Awai road ,took to various streets in shouting voices, and later moved to the office of the BEDC along Awai road where they were addressed by the Public Affairs Manager, Mrs,Esther Okolie that the management of BEDC was looking into their grouses
She, however, expressed regret that Asaba consumers were owing over N2.5billion as unpaid bills under the period of January to April, adding “ Many residents of Asaba are not paying their bills, how do expect BEDC to Provide light? “
But the leader of the protesting group, Engr,Division Agor alleged failure of BEDC to provide light due to the alleged demand of N4million to purchase two transformers to the areas, adding “we told them we don’t have such money hence BEDC left us to be suffering in the last six months”
Apart from alleged N2.6billion unpaid bills, BEDC had also raised the alarm of frequent vandalization of transformers in Asaba, kwale, Agbor and Ibusa, saying that BEDC had in the Past three weeks lost 450 transformers to yet unidentified vandals
Speaking to our reporter, the Public Affairs Manager in Asaba, Mrs,Esther Okolie said “We have been facing frequent vandalization of transformers in Asaba, others, residents are not paying their bills, yet they are protesting on.what ground? “ and called on security agents to bring to book vandals that have been vandalizing BEDC transformers.
A resident, Julian Okoye said “I burn almost every day in the past six months, I pay my bills promptly, we are tied of BEDC, we need light.”
In an interview with the state Commissioner for Power and Energy, Barr New World Safugha disclosed that Asaba and its environs, were currently experiencing massive load shedding due to the ongoing repair works at of the faulty 60 MVA 132/33kv transmission sub stations servicing the areas.
He said that, there were strong indications that quantum of energy from the healthy 60MVA132/33 transmission substation currently in use cannot cope with the load demand of the state capital and its environs.