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Ondo Govt, BEDC Reach Agreement To End Ondo South BlackOut as Debtors Set to
The permanent power blackout being experienced in some local government areas in the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State and Idanre in the Central Senatorial District may soon be a thing of the past following agreement reached by the State Government and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) the outfit responsible for power distribution in the state.
According to the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, the state government has taken charge and commenced the process of returning power to the affected areas as it met with officials of the power distribution company with agreements already reached to end the power crisis.
The government was represented at the meeting by the Secretary to government, Dr Rotimi Adelola, the Chief of Staff to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Dr Kola Ademujimi, Attorney General, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) and Chairmen of the affected local councils.
Briefing newsmen in Akure the state capital, Akinmade said following the submission of the power outfit that power distribution was suspended to the affected areas because of the failure of consumers to pay for services rendered, government posited that it is unfair for the entire communities to bear the brunt of those who failed to meet their financial obligation to the company.
“The company said some people in the communities affected have been owing huge amount of money before they took over from PHCN and needed to recover the debts. But government position was that the innocent consumers who have been diligent in payment should not bear the brunt of the inability of others to pay” Akinmade explained.
He mentioned further that it was agreed that power would be restored to the affected communities following which a committee would be set up to reconcile the accounts and facilitate payment of all due debts to the power distribution company.
He explained that the debtors are expected to pay 50% of their agreed debt upon reconnection and further payment made thereafter, even as it was further agreed that BEDC reserve the right to pull out of any community where its staff may experience molestation or any form of physical attack in the course of ensuring compliance with the resolutions of the meeting.
Government thus registered its commitment to ensure compliance of the terms and resolutions of the meeting are followed to the letter having regard to the compelling duty of users of electricity to pay their bills and the responsibility of the distribution company under privatisation process to provide constant electricity to citizens of the country and residents of the state .
“Government will monitor compliance of the terms of agreement by various communities once it is signed” Akinmade assured.
