Lucky Ighomuaye. O
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) PLC and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have come under heavy backlash for their inabilities to provide electricity supply to the residents of Edo State.
The management of the two companies were summoned by the Edo State House of Assembly to explain before it why residents have to experience blackout on a regular basis.
The Lawmakers took turn to vent their anger on the poor performances of the two companies that have thrown the residents of the state to a perpetual darkness.
They also demanded an apology from BEDC and TCN officials over their failure to earlier appear before the house.
They also faulted the BEDC and the TCN for not responding to the complaints of Edo state residents, demanding an explanation.
The Lawmakers wondered why the people are made to fix transformers as well as answer for the estimated billings given to people in the state.
Having listened to the various speeches from the Lawmakers, the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku advised the BEDC and TCN officials to ensure they live up to their responsibilities, avoid energy theft, give the people better electricity supply.
Agbebaku further gave the organisations two months within which to improve the electricity supply to the state or face strict sanctions from the house.
Earlier, representative of BEDC Mr Jonathan Lawani, said management is working very hard to resolve the issue, stressing that both BEDC and TCN are working together to give the Edo state residents one of its four catchment states the needed electricity supply.
He explained that there is no blame game but, said that some staff of the organisation go against what is obtainable.
On his part, Engr Chijioke of TCN explained that the situation is not peculiar to the state alone, pointing out that an upgrade of facilities are underway.
Recall that the both companies have earlier informed residents of the state that there will be full restoration of electricity supply by January 7, 2024.
They pleaded with the residents that before the January 7, they were going to be embarking on an upgrade of their facilities adding that, residents should bear with them.