Oshiomhole Threatens Court Action Over ‘Criminal’ Bills And Mass Disconnection

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company to restore power supply to disconnected communities in the state or risk criminal prosecution.
Oshiomhole, who gave the warning when he met with some principal officers of the BEDC at the Government House, decried what he described as “corporate greed” in the operations of the company,
He explained that the action of the electricity distribution company had not only subjected the residents to grief, but also stifling investments in the state.
He lamented that in spite of the level of security and hospitality provided by the state, the company insisted on leaving several communities without electricity over unpaid bills, which he also described as “criminal rates.”
Oshiomhole said, “Within the next 48 hours, go and restore power there. If you do not, I reserve the right to compound your problems. I am here basically as a trustee of the Edo people.
“That is the only reason they elected me. I also have a duty to protect you; that is why in spite of my own reservation, you enjoy security, you enjoy hospitality in this community, even as people are angry.
“Edo State Government will prosecute any criminal extortion; we will scientifically establish the criminality and we will prosecute. You have X megawatts of power to distribute and you have targeted your revenue profile at Y level.
“Now, the power accruing to you drops at 40 per cent and you then criminally insist on collecting the same level of revenue as if your power supply has not dropped; that is criminal and we will prosecute and send someone to prison.”
The Managing Director of BEDC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, attributed the disconnection to the alleged refusal of the residents in the affected communities to pay their electricity bills.