46 CSOs warn Edo government, others against attacks on BEDC

Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI), Abuja, has warned electricity consumers in Edo State, especially those hiding under the cover of civil rights advocacy to perpetrate unlawful conducts to desist from hostility against Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) workers.

The coalition of 46 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) made this declaration at a world press conference addressed by its national convener, Solomon Adodo, at Abia House, Abuja, at the weekend.

Edo government was also mentioned at the briefing as among the culprits.

“We call on the governor of Edo State to forthwith refrain from antagonising BEDC and instead follow relevant rules and guidelines governing contract terms. The issue of power distribution in Edo State should not be unnecessarily politicised.

“It should be made clear that all distribution companies (DisCos) are firmly protected by the contract terms and conditions under which they were issued licences, and it is on record that BEDC has not in any way breached such conditions,” TADI stated.

The group promised “to resist this evil at all costs in the best interest of sustainable business practice in order not to ward off future investors and/or frustrate the gains made thus far in the power sector.”

It called on the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) and every concerned regulator to immediately come out and clear the air on the needless controversies being stirred to cripple the BEDC under its current management.

“If we do not get appropriate feedback within seven days of this notice, we shall be left with no other option but to embark on peaceful procession to these offices for the sake of sanity in our power sector,” the group stressed.