Group threatens to sue DISCO over blackout

A pressure group, ‘D-Forum’ of Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Council of Delta community group, has threatened to sue the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over blackout in the town.

In a statement yesterday by Comrades Frank Ubido and Cyril Ohai, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the group, D-Forum condemned what it called “unfair treatment” of Ogwashi-Uku people.

Ubido and Ohai recalled that the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had at a public hearing of May 11 this year directed the BEDC to restore electricity supply to the community within one month, but regretted that up till now, the order was yet to be carried out.

The said, “NERC equally directed BEDC to provide the community with meters so that the customers can commence the purchase of prepaid meter under the scheme for household metering.”

The chairman and secretary pointed out that the commission had warned BDEC that entering any agreement with the community to advance funds on its infrastructure in Ogwashi-Uku was against NERC’s regulations.

They therefore advised the people not to pay any form of money for such purpose, adding that the cost of maintenance and repairs of infrastructure are provided in the new tariff as stipulated in MYTO 2015.

It alleged that BEDC has refused to comply with NERC’s directive, just as the electricity company neglected the one-month ultimatum given to it by NERC to restore power supply.