Essential Ndubuisi
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) spends approximately N11 billion monthly to purchase energy from the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Limited (NBET), according to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Deolu Ijose.
Speaking during his assumption of office at the company’s headquarters in Benin City, Ijose said that BEDC requires the cooperation of electricity consumers in its franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ekiti, and Ondo to meet their demands as it grapples with acute funding problems caused by energy theft.
BEDC is committed to providing the best possible service to its franchise states, Ijose stated, but this is hindered by a lack of funds to develop the necessary infrastructure. He urged customers to pay their bills promptly to assist BEDC in paying for the energy it purchases monthly, as well as to help sustain the company’s operations. BEDC currently receives only about 50-60 percent of the N11 billion monthly invoice, which puts the company’s financial stability at risk, Ijose said.
In response to a question about whether BEDC plans to partner with the Edo State Government by connecting to the Ossiomo project, Ijose said talks were underway, adding that the more partners, the better. Although BEDC does not have the distribution license, Ijose explained that it can partner with any entity for better service delivery.
Ijose assured customers that BEDC is collaborating with key stakeholders in the industry, such as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and meter manufacturers to enhance service delivery. Customers can expect significant improvements in service delivery, including the deployment of meters across the franchise states in the near future, he added.
