Youths from Ososo, Ojah, Ijiranmi and other communities in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State have staged a protest over an eight-month blackout that they say has crippled businesses, disrupted economic activities and stalled development across the affected communities.
The protesters stormed the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Power in Benin City on Thursday, carrying placards and demanding urgent intervention to restore electricity to their communities.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Bernard Gomina said the demonstration was aimed at drawing the attention of relevant authorities to the hardship residents have experienced since the prolonged power outage began.
Gomina said the affected communities had been enduring the eight months blackout despite previous interventions by community leaders and the member representing Akoko-Edo II Constituency, Hon. Donald Okogbe.
“This protest is meant to bring our plight to the public as we have not enjoyed electricity for eight months. Businesses and commercial activities have been badly affected,” he said.
According to him, the prolonged Edo communities blackout has affected residents who depend on electricity to operate businesses and sustain their livelihoods.
Another protester, who identified himself as Abayomi, alleged that residents of the affected communities had contributed large sums of money to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) on several occasions for the repair of faulty equipment.
He, however, said the electricity problems remained unresolved despite the financial contributions.
Abayomi also criticised what he described as outrageous estimated electricity bills imposed on residents despite the epileptic power supply they received before the complete outage.
He called for an alternative power distribution company if BEDC could not provide reliable electricity to the affected communities.
Donald Okogbe Joins Protest Over Edo Communities Blackout
Donald Okogbe, who joined the protesters at the electricity commission, said residents were frustrated by the prolonged power outage.
The protest highlights growing concerns among residents of Ososo, Ojah, Ijiranmi and neighbouring communities over the impact of the Edo communities blackout on businesses, household activities and development.
The protesters are demanding urgent intervention from the relevant authorities to resolve the electricity crisis and restore regular power supply to the affected communities.
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