Governor Monday Okpebholo has vowed to end the longstanding monopoly of Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) and guarantee fair and reliable power distribution for all Edo residents.
Addressing a crowd in Benin City on Monday, he joined citizens protesting against persistent electricity shortages and what many described as exploitative billing practices.
The protest, organised under the banner of Organised Edo Against BEDC Oppressions, began at the Benin City National Museum, where residents gathered to demand accountability and better service from the BEDC.
Governor Okpebholo, who made a stopover at the take-off point of the protest, expressed solidarity with the protesters and pledged that his administration would take concrete steps to reform power distribution in the state.
“The current situation, where a single company controls electricity supply, is unfair to Edo residents,” Okpebholo said.
“Our people are being short-changed, and this monopoly must end. Just like the telecommunications sector, we need multiple stakeholders in the business to improve efficiency and service delivery.”
He emphasised that introducing competition in electricity distribution would benefit consumers, as each company would strive to perform better and provide uninterrupted electricity.
According to the governor, allowing new players into the power distribution sector would guarantee that every household, from urban apartments to rural villages, receives reliable electricity.
“The only way we can fight this monopoly is by bringing stakeholders into this business of distribution,” he added.
“Monopoly does not belong to one person. We have to operate like telecom companies, encouraging competition and ensuring multiple companies contribute to the supply of electricity.”
Okpebholo revealed that his administration had already scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House to discuss strategies for attracting more investors into power distribution.
He urged the protesters to nominate delegates to participate in the dialogue, stressing that inclusive engagement was essential for achieving sustainable reform.
“Everyone here — your families, my family, all Edo residents — are affected by this short-changing. That is why I stand with you today,” he said, addressing the crowd.
“We will ensure that when the reforms are implemented, all of us in Edo State will have enough light.”
Earlier, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, President of the Network of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (NOCSON), expressed support for the governor’s intervention.
He reiterated the concerns of Edo residents, highlighting frustrations over excessive billing and inconsistent electricity supply by BEDC.
“Edo residents are tired of paying for darkness,” Ogbidi said.
“We are not Father Christmas — we cannot pay for what we do not receive. BEDC must live up to its bills and provide electricity in line with what is charged.”
The governor’s pledge to reform power distribution comes amid mounting complaints from residents across the state.
Many households have reported prolonged outages despite regular billing, leading to calls for greater accountability and transparency.
Edo residents have described the BEDC’s practices as exploitative, arguing that the monopoly structure leaves them with no alternative supplier and no leverage to demand better service.
Okpebholo’s plan aims to break the monopoly by inviting new investors and stakeholders into the sector.
This strategy mirrors the liberalisation seen in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, where multiple service providers have improved coverage, reduced costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
By involving civil society, consumer representatives, and private companies, the governor hopes to create a competitive market for electricity distribution.
“We want stakeholders to come together, engage with us, and help ensure that all Edo residents benefit from improved electricity supply,” he said.
If successfully implemented, the reforms could set a precedent for other states facing similar challenges with electricity supply monopolies.
Reliable power distribution is critical for economic development, as businesses and households depend on steady electricity to function efficiently.
Governor Okpebholo stressed that the state government would monitor the process closely to ensure that reforms result in tangible benefits for all Edo residents.
As stakeholders prepare for tomorrow’s meeting at the Government House, both civil society and residents remain hopeful that the planned interventions will end overbilling and bring lasting improvements in electricity supply.
Edo residents are optimistic that a new competitive approach to power distribution will finally deliver the consistent service they have long demanded.
Ireport247news
