Ondo Power Regulatory Body Tasks BEDC On Repair Without Power Disruption
The Ondo Stare government has charged the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to find alternative mean of carrying out repair on its installations without disrupting lawful activities of its customers.
The government through the State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (OSERB) gave the charged in response to the notice by the electricity provider in the state that it planned to disrupt power supply in some major areas of the state starting from Monday, July 1, 2024.
In a letter signed by the State Coordinator of SERB, Engr. Kolawole, dated June 27, 2024, and addressed to the Principal Manager of Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN), the electricity regulatory agency noted that the power disruption would have great negative impact in the lives and businesses of the people of the state.
The letter was a reply to a letter received from BEDC which informed OSERB that there would be power outage in some areas of Ondo State starting from Monday, July 1, 2024 to Friday, August 31, 2024 between 8am and 5pm expect on Saturdays and Sundays.
The letter reads in parts: “We received a notification from the BEDC Electricity Plc of a planned power disruption/outage in major areas of Ondo State which is to commence on Monday 1st July, 2024 to Friday 31st August, 2024 at 800hrs to 1700hrs(Nine Hours daily) excluding Saturday and Sunday.
“This power disruption will have a negative impact in the lives and businesses of the people of Ondo State.
“You should find an alternative means of carrying out this exercise without disrupting the lawful activities of the people of Ondo State.
“OSERB looks forward to your prompt action to ensure continued provision of stable power and lawful electricity services to residents and businesses in Akure and its surrounding areas.”
In a reply to OSERB’s charge, the Principal Manager(T), Akure Works Centre of Transmission Company of Nigeria, Engr. S.O. Okedele acknowledged the receipt of the letter, promising to forward same to higher management of TCN for necessary action.
He, however, assured the state government that the company would always carried out its functions with due consideration of the stakeholders.
OSERB is an agency of Ondo State government vested with the responsibility to regulate all electricity matters within the state as enshrined in Part VIII Section 60 of Ondo State Electricity Power Sector Law 2020.
EKITI GOVT REJECTS PLANNED BEDC’S POWER DISCONNECTION OVER MAINTENANCE
The Ekiti State government has rejected the planned nine-hour power disconnection by the Benin Distribution Company (BEDC) over maintenance of infrastructure for the next two months.
The distribution company had announced in a public notice on Friday that there would be power outages in Ondo and Ekiti states due to planned maintenance work on the 132KV Akure Osogbo transmission line of the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
According to the notice, the power outage in the entire states would occur between 8 am and 5 pm starting from July 1 to August 31, 2024.
However, Ekiti State’s Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Professor Mobolaji Aluko, described the planned power disruption as unacceptable in a letter dated June 30, 2024. He stated that such an outage would cripple economic activities in the state.
The letter was addressed to the MD/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz; MD/CEO of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Deolu Ijose; and the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Company (NERC), Engr. Shehu Garba.
Aluko emphasized that neither the ministry nor the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (EKSERB), authorized by law to regulate the electricity industry in Ekiti State, had received prior notification about the planned outage.
He stated, “We have been made aware of public notifications, both in print and through English and Yoruba language jingles, regarding BEDC’s intention, under TCN’s advice, to disrupt power supply to the transmission stations in Akure and Ado-Ekiti. This would significantly affect Ekiti State and Ondo State areas, with nine hours of outage each day (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) from July 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024.”
“No direct communication was made to the Ekiti State Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (MIPU) on this matter, nor was approval sought or obtained from EKSERB,” he added.
“The planned disruption, totaling 558 hours over sixty-two days, including twenty-three full days of outage, imposes an unacceptable economic, financial, and social burden on the citizens of Ekiti State. Therefore, we categorically reject this plan.”
“Consequently, we request an immediate suspension of the plan and propose an emergency meeting with regional heads of TCN, BEDC, and NERC at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the Office of the Honourable Commissioner, MIPU, The Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti. This is to devise an alternative plan that minimally impacts our citizens while achieving the stated objectives of carrying out critical maintenance on the 132KV Akure Osogbo transmission line and installing Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) and other necessary activities.”
“We urge prompt attention to this matter and look forward to collaborative efforts to find a sustainable solution that benefits both the citizens of Ekiti State and the Ekiti State Electricity Supply Industry.”
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