Governor joins Youths, Residents protesting against prolonged power blackout,

Governor joins Youths, Residents protesting against prolonged power blackout

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Monday stood in solidarity with protesting youths and residents at the busy Ring Road axis of Benin City, as frustrations mounted over prolonged power outages and controversial estimated billing by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

The governor, who said he encountered the protest while passing through the area, addressed the crowd and urged calm while pledging immediate engagement with relevant stakeholders.

“I was just passing by and saw people gathered here at Ring Road. I stopped to find out what the issue was, and they said you were protesting. ” I said, ‘Yes, we are all youths, and I have come to join you,’” the governor said.

Speaking to demonstrators, Okpebholo emphasised that electricity challenges were affecting every segment of society, from rural communities to urban neighborhoods.

“When we talk about short-changing Edo people, it affects all of us — our parents in the villages, our brothers and sisters in the cities, and everyone standing here. Why should anyone frustrate Edo people?”

He acknowledged that BEDC operates as a private entity and is not directly under state government control. Nevertheless, he assured residents that decisive steps would be taken to address their grievances.

According to the governor, the long-term solution lies in liberalizing electricity distribution within the state to create competition.

“The only way we can fight this is to bring new investors into the business of distribution. We will break the monopoly. We want to operate like the telecom sector, where you have alternatives. Bringing in more investors will give our people options,” he stated.

Okpebholo announced that a stakeholders’ meeting would be convened on Tuesday. He called on the protesters to select five representatives to attend and contribute to discussions.

“We need to engage them to see how we can bring in more investors into the business of electricity distribution. Once that is done, we will all be more assured of stable power. Let us remain calm and allow the engagement to take place,” the governor appealed.

Earlier, demonstrators had assembled at Ring Road, a central commercial hub in Benin City, before marching to express dissatisfaction with persistent blackouts, estimated billing practices, and the high cost of prepaid meters.

Protesters displayed placards bearing messages such as “We say no to BEDC oppression”, “No light, no bill”, and “Edo people say no to bulk billing”.

Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel, who addressed the gathering, said residents across Edo State felt compelled to act over what he described as unfair practices by the distribution company.

“We pay for light, and they give us darkness,” he said, questioning the transparency of the company’s free meter distribution scheme.

He further urged BEDC to make public the list of beneficiaries of the meter programme, alleging that meters were being sold at prices ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦400,000.