Electricity Theft Law Is Incomplete Without The Criminalization of Estimated Billings, non-provision of metres, Others - CSOs


Vehicular traffic was at a standstill today at Oba Ovoramwen Square in Benin city, following a peaceful protest by members  of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) over the passage of a Bill on Electricity Theft by Edo State House of Assembly.

The activists who took their protest to the Anthony Enahoro Complex and Government House, accused the Edo Lawmakers of protecting the interest of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), against the people who elected them to represent their interest.

The Kabiru Adjoto-led House of Assembly had on Monday passed a law to prohibit electricity theft and other related offences as well as to establish a special court to try violators.

But, Coordinator-General of Edo CSOs, Leftist Omobude Agho, termed the Bill ‘Anti People’, decrying it speedy passed without the house consulting the people despite being a matter of public importance.

According to Leftist Agho,“we are not against the Bill, but we think it is not complete until the criminalization of estimated billings, non-provision of metres, transformers,  poles etc, side by side with electricity theft”.
Agho who commended the Governor Godwin Obaseki for being on the side of Edo people on the electricity situation in the state, urged him not to ascent to the Bill.

However, while there were no officials on ground at the House of Assembly to receive the protesting group, they were received at the Government House by Head of Service,  Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa on behalf of Governor Obaseki who was said to be away on an official assignment.

The Edo HOS assured the activists that the Governor will not turn his back on the people as it concern power.
“The Governor’s position on electricity situation in the state still remains”, Ehiozuwa said
Recalled Obaseki last year walked the Managing Director (MD) of BEDC, Funke Osibodu, out of his office for failing to meet obligations to electricity consumers in the state.
“As Governor of Edo State, we have lost confidence in BEDC. We don’t want them here. We are in darkness. Let us remain in darkness until we find people who are capable of delivering electricity. This is our position”, He told members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Power led by Hon. Daniel Asuquo, who were in Government House, on a courtesy visit.




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