- Ondo residents decry poor supply
- Six councils have been without electricity supply in 15 years
- Rights activist seeks intervention from President Buhari
Residents of six area councils in Ondo South Senatorial District have decried persistent poor supply in the last 15 years. The six communities have been without electricity supply following Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) decision to disconnect these communities following the failure to settle electricity bills amounting to ₦2 billion.
The communities affected, Okitipupa, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, Odigbo, Irele, Ese-Odo and Ilaje, have decried the blackout’s impact on economic activities in the area. They also lamented the failure of successive Ondo state governments to restore supply to these areas.
In an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, rights activist Mr Kolade Omoyeni stated that the total blackout had destroyed the area’s socio-economic development. “The absence of electricity in Ondo South is a real threat to the livelihood of Apoi, Ilaje, Ikale, Odigbo, and Ijaw/Arogbo people. These are nations that have contributed in no small measure to what Nigeria is today.” the letter read.
“History will note if your presidency, as you envisioned on ending on good notes, would correct the injustice against us and restore our electricity fully and unconditionally very soon.” the letter stated.
Reacting to the complaints, the Corporate Affairs Manager, BEDC, Michael Barnabas said: “There are power challenges within the Southern senatorial district but there is nothing like total blackout as it is being painted.”
”Power supply to Ondo south zone has always been grossly inadequate due largely to availability from Ondo 132/33KV injection substation which is the only source of supply now. This limitation has further been made worse by a faulty breaker on one of the 2X30MVA transformers which tied customers from Ondo town down to Okitipupa on one 30MVA transformer thereby reducing what could be wheeled out at any particular time,” he added.
“We are hopeful that the ongoing construction of Erinje 2X60 MVA 132/33KV injection substation by the NDDC will complement all the efforts already put in place by BEDC when it is completed,” Barnabas added.