- The company needs the cooperation of electricity consumers in its franchise states to meet their demands, as it gets an invoice of about N11 billion monthly.
- He noted that funding is important and stressed that customers need to assist by settling their bills when due.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Deolu Ijose, has said the company needs the cooperation of electricity consumers in its franchise states to meet their demands as it gets the invoice of about N11 billion monthly. He disclosed this while commemorating his assumption of office at the company headquarters in Benin City.
Ijose said the company is keen on giving its best to its franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo, respectively; however, acute funds hinder its effectiveness due to energy theft. He added, “The bottom line is that we need funding to put infrastructure in place. You will say that it is our responsibility to put all these things in place, but at the same time, we must collaborate with the citizens and plead with them because BEDC is no longer a social service.”
He noted that funding is important and stressed that customers need to assist by settling their bills when due. He added, “If we settle the debt, we will be able to pay for the energy that is purchased every month and get more, but when we do not get 50 or 60 per cent of what we deployed, honestly, as an investor, I would not know how the business can continue.” He further assured that the company is collaborating with key stakeholders in the industry, the TCN, NDPHC, NEMSA, REA, NBET/MO, federal and state governments, and Meter Manufacturers to improve their service delivery.