“We Pay for Light, We Get Darkness: Edo Communities Issue Two-Week Ultimatum to BEDC”

Urbanscoopnews reporting

Benin City, Edo State — February 16, 2026

A coalition of concerned residents under the banner Victims of BEDC Oppressions has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), accusing the electricity provider of systemic exploitation, prolonged blackouts, excessive billing, and regulatory violations across Edo State.

Speaking at the Youth House in Benin City on Monday, the group declared that Edo people are united in what they described as a collective resolve to resist oppressive practices that have left many communities in darkness for months and, in some cases, years. According to the coalition, several areas across the state have suffered extended outages due to the company’s alleged failure to repair faulty transformers and critical distribution infrastructure, thereby forcing residents to shoulder responsibilities that ordinarily fall within the mandate of a power distribution company.

The group alleged that affected communities are routinely compelled to contribute millions of naira — sometimes between ₦10 million and ₦15 million — to purchase transformers, poles, and cables, after which they are required to formally donate the equipment to BEDC before installation is carried out. Despite these interventions funded by residents, the company reportedly continues to issue monthly bills, including estimated charges, even where electricity supply is nonexistent.

They further accused BEDC of disconnecting consumers without adequate notice, allegedly contrary to guidelines established by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The coalition also raised concerns over what it described as inflated estimated billing practices, claiming that households are charged substantial sums regardless of the availability or consistency of supply.

Concerns were also expressed over the cost of prepaid meters, with the group alleging that consumers are being asked to pay between ₦150,000 and ₦400,000, alongside additional installation and mapping fees. The coalition argued that such charges undermine federal efforts aimed at expanding access to metering and improving transparency in electricity billing.

In addition, the statement criticized the implementation of the “Band A” tariff classification system, alleging that some residential customers were migrated to higher billing bands without proper consultation and are now being charged rates comparable to commercial users. The group described the development as discriminatory and called for an immediate reversal to what it termed a fair and equitable billing structure.

The coalition also referenced incidents in December 2025 in which voltage fluctuations allegedly caused widespread damage to electrical appliances and, in certain instances, residential fires. According to the group, similar technical and service-related challenges are prevalent across the three senatorial districts of Edo State, reflecting what they characterized as systemic operational failures.

Demanding urgent redress, the coalition called for the immediate restoration of electricity to communities experiencing prolonged outages, an end to the practice of compelling residents to procure and donate infrastructure before reconnection, free and transparent metering of consumers, and regulatory intervention where violations are established. The group also appealed to the Edo State Government, the State House of Assembly, and relevant security agencies to intervene in the interest of citizens.

Issuing a firm warning, the coalition stated that if their demands are not addressed within two weeks, Edo people would embark on coordinated mass civil action and disobedience. “We are not a conquered people,” the statement concluded. “We will not continue to pay for services not rendered, nor accept inhuman treatment from any private entity. We shall continue to speak truth to power until justice is done.”

As of press time, BEDC had not issued an official response to the allegations.