Youths of Ondo Kingdom in Ondo West local government area of Ondo state have called on the officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in charge of supplying power to the community to improve their services to the community.
The Youths under the umbrella of Ekimogun Youths Connect gave this warning in the wake of the nonchalant attitude of BEDC officials in the community which has resulted in terrible power supply and exorbitant bills which do not commensurate with the poor power supply.
The leadership of the Youths led by their president Comrade Famakinwa Lucas held a meeting with the top officials of Benin Electricity Distribution Company ((BEDC) at their head office Ondo City on Wednesday to express their discontentment with the company and demand for a change of attitude.
They pointed out that the company have refused to take any action on the issue of Odojomu and other streets that have been without power supply since rain storm pulled down electric poles and cables in the affected streets in May.
They advised BEDC officials to neither give the affected streets electricity bills for the period they were disconnected nor inflate their bills when they eventually get to enjoy power supply again.
The Youths also noted that the five hours supply of power per day which they considered to be inadequate has been ridiculously reduced to twenty-five minutes per day in some parts of the community. They noted that it is a disgrace for the community to be treated in that manner.
The Youths demanded that for better understanding to exist between the company and residents, a town hall meeting should be organized where the manager, the Public relations officer and other top officials of the company will interact with the community.
The Youths gave the company a seventy-two hour ultimatum to decide when the meeting or programme would be held to explain to members of the communication the reasons why they are kept in darkness for months.
They added that failure to have this town hall meeting may attract a massive protest from residents of the community against the excesses of the company and it’s officials
A statement released by the body on Friday 7 July, 2023 restated their commitment to hold BEDC accountable for their excesses and will not be swayed by the tricks the company has been playing since their meeting on Wednesday.
It read “Having received reports from our street representatives on the improvement of power supply in Ondo City after our visit to the BEDC Ondo kingdom head office, Comrade Famakinwa Lucaskakaki has alluded that the sudden steady supply of power is a strategy to appeal to our conscience.
“It has been in the habit of BEDC Ondo branch to treat their customers like they don’t exist. The throw us into blackouts at the early days of every month, they give us steady supply like on the 26th and 27th, share exorbitant bills on the 28th and 29th then they start harvesting money on the 30th.”
“At this time, the chicken will no longer be feverish in the presence of a barking dog. We deserve to be respected. BEDC Ondo kingdom should have an avenue to communicate with the people whenever there will be blackout, they should also update us on the replacement of all the 46 poles in the Odojomu axis and others streets.”
They also advised Youths in the community not to allow themselves to be used as instruments by those who are against the demand for steady power supply for the community.
“We have also noted that some youths have dedicated themselves to be saboteurs whenever there is a movement of liberation. The leadership of Ekimogun Youths Connect has sent a serious warning to this crop of youths, saying the move against the excesses of BEDC is a moving train.”
