The Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc (BEDC) has shed light on the recent power outage experienced in its franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti, attributing it to low power generation by generating companies (Gencos).
During a media parley in Benin on Friday, the firm’s Chief Technical Officer, Jonathan Lawani, outlined the challenges facing BEDC and other Distribution Companies (Discos) nationwide. Lawani highlighted the heavy reliance on gas for power generation in Nigeria, noting that suppliers have withheld gas due to unpaid bills by Gencos.
Lawani emphasized the interconnected nature of the power supply chain, with each segment pointing fingers at the other for outstanding debts. He stressed the importance of customer payments in improving power supply, urging customers to fulfill their obligations through BEDC-accredited billing agents.
Furthermore, Lawani identified energy theft and vandalism as significant contributors to power unavailability, with a considerable portion of installed meters being tampered with, resulting in revenue loss for the company. He underscored the need for regulatory measures to combat these challenges, collaborating with state governments to implement effective regulations.
Addressing efforts to mitigate the crisis, Lawani mentioned the ongoing work by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, to address low generation issues. BEDC has also undertaken network upgrades, expanding its capacity with over 75 33KVA voltage lines covering more than 5,000km and 3,022 11KVA feeders to serve customers.