16/03/2019
: Fayemi Moves To Resolve Power Supply Issue, Inaugurates State Electricity Regulation Act
•As consumers insist on prepaid meters
Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Thursday inaugurated the State Electricity Regulatory Act 2015, with an assurance that the incessant conflict between the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and electricity consumers in the State will soon be resolved.
Inaugurating the Act which was originally signed into law by former Governor Ayo Fayose in September 2015, Governor Fayemi his government intervened in the BEDC / consumer crisis immediately the administration was inaugurated in October last year by setting up a committee to look into the power problem.
Fayemi who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Biodun Oyebanji, recalled that no fewer than 47 communities were disconnected from the national grid before October 2018 but the present administration is taking steps to ensure that they are reconnected.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the General Manager, Ekiti State Electricity Board, Engr Philip Atere said the Regulatory Act was passed into law in 2015 but was not effective; saying that the law is aimed at controlling the activities of BEDC while also checkmating vandals.
Atere added that the law would also address outrageous billing system and indiscriminate electricity connection.
Meanwhile, the President of Ado Ekiti Residents Consumer Association (AERCA), Dr. Ibukun Ogundipe has reiterated the decision of electricity consumers in Ado Ekiti, the state capital not to accept estimated billings from BEDC until the distribution company provides prepaid meters for them. Ogundipe stated that consumers cannot pay exorbitant bills for an erratic power supply.
He also called on the committee set up by the regulatory act to look into the issue of billing.
