Monday Okpebholo Moves to Resolve Edo Power Crisis, Orders Expanded Stakeholders’ Summit

Kingsley Ohens reporting For Urbanscopnews

Governor Monday Okpebholo on Tuesday convened and presided over a high-level stakeholders’ meeting aimed at addressing the persistent electricity challenges confronting residents across Edo State.

The meeting, held at Government House in Benin City, followed a recent peaceful protest by concerned youths and civil society groups over prolonged outages, estimated billing practices, and alleged irregularities surrounding the Federal Government’s free metering initiative.

Addressing participants, the Governor underscored the complexity of the issues affecting electricity supply in the state, stressing that sustainable solutions require the involvement of all actors within the power value chain.

He noted that the challenges could not be resolved in isolation, explaining that distribution companies operate within a broader framework that includes generation and transmission components. Emphasising the need for collective responsibility, he stated that a larger and more inclusive stakeholders’ engagement had become necessary.
Drawing from his background in telecommunications, the Governor clarified concerns about certain meter deductions raised by residents. He explained that such deductions are structured repayment mechanisms designed to allow consumers begin using electricity supply before gradually offsetting outstanding costs.

While appealing for understanding from residents, he stressed the importance of resolving the power crisis holistically. He also called on Azura Power West Africa Limited to engage constructively with the state government amid concerns that electricity generated within Edo may be transmitted to neighbouring states while local supply remains inadequate.

The Governor assured residents that his administration would not ignore their concerns and reiterated his commitment to fairness, transparency, and improved service delivery in the electricity sector.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Engr. Jonathan Lawani, highlighted the absence of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at the meeting, describing it as a critical stakeholder in the power distribution chain.

Lawani explained that distribution companies depend on allocated supply, revealing that BEDC requires approximately 760 megawatts to effectively serve its franchise areas but currently receives just over 260 megawatts — a shortfall that significantly limits equitable distribution.

He further clarified that tariff structures are regulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), stressing that BEDC does not possess the authority to arbitrarily increase or reduce electricity tariffs. On the free metering programme, he stated that the company collaborated with the Federal Government, leveraging a World Bank-supported facility to procure and deploy thousands of meters at no upfront cost, while cautioning residents against patronising unauthorized individuals selling meters illegally.

Earlier, Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel, leader of the protesting coalition “Edo Against BEDC Oppression,” articulated residents’ grievances, citing prolonged blackouts, reliance on estimated billing, and allegations that some communities were compelled to donate self-funded transformers and cables before installation. He also raised concerns about alleged exploitation in the distribution of meters under the Federal Government’s initiative.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Azura Power West Africa Limited, senior government officials, and other critical stakeholders in the electricity value chain.

At the conclusion of deliberations, the Governor directed that a broader stakeholders’ forum be convened to include all relevant actors across generation, transmission, and distribution segments, with a view to developing practical and sustainable solutions.

He appealed for calm and urged residents to remain law-abiding as the government intensifies efforts to address the power challenges in the overall interest of Edo people.