AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MANAGEMENT OF Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)
INEFFICIENCY TAKEN TOO FAR IN ASABA AND ENVIRONS
The Management,
Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)
I write as concerned residents of Asaba and its environs in Delta State, compelled by the prolonged darkness that has engulfed our communities for over three weeks, and by the near silence from your office regarding the cause of this unacceptable situation.
Electricity is not a luxury. It is a fundamental service that powers homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, and livelihoods. Yet, for weeks, thousands of families and entrepreneurs in Asaba have been subjected to either total blackout or epileptic supply so erratic it can hardly be described as service delivery.
What makes this situation more troubling is not just the outage, but the absence of clear, timely, and transparent communication from BEDC. In an era where information travels instantly, how can a distribution company fail to officially brief its customers on the reasons for sustained darkness?
Even more concerning are reports that, despite weeks of poor or non-existent supply, estimated electricity bills continue to be issued. Some field officers allegedly insist on arbitrary and unrealistic payment demands, threatening disconnection for customers who question the figures, particularly those without prepaid meters. This practice, if true, is not only insensitive but unjust.
We ask:
On what moral or regulatory basis are consumers billed for services not rendered?
Why has there been no comprehensive public explanation for the prolonged outage?
What concrete steps are being taken to restore stable electricity to Asaba and neighbouring communities?
What timeline can residents reasonably expect for resolution?
The people of Asaba are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for accountability, transparency, and responsible service delivery. BEDC willingly undertook the mandate to distribute electricity within this region. With that mandate comes an obligation to communicate honestly and perform competently.
We also call on the regulatory authorities, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to urgently investigate the situation and ensure that consumer rights are protected. Silence in the face of prolonged inefficiency only deepens public distrust in institutions.
This letter is not written out of hostility but out of civic responsibility. Businesses are collapsing under the weight of generator costs. Families are burdened with increased living expenses. Students are studying in darkness. Hospitals and small-scale industries are struggling to survive. The economic and social toll is enormous.
We urge BEDC to:
Issue an immediate public statement explaining the cause of the outage.
Provide a clear restoration timeline.
Suspend estimated billing for affected areas during the outage period.
Sanction any staff engaging in coercive or unethical billing practices.
Accelerate the metering of customers to eliminate the persistent controversy around estimated billing.
The patience of the people is not infinite. But neither is their commitment to constructive engagement in doubt. Nigerians believe in dialogue and in institutional reform.
And I believe that service providers must be held to the standards they promised.
Asaba deserves better. Delta State deserves better. Nigerians deserve better.
We await your prompt and responsible response.
Sincerely,
Godfrey C. Osakwe, fnipr
For: Concerned Residents of Asaba and Environs
