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BEDC AGBOR BUSINESS UNIT DEFRAUDING IKA PEOPLE AGAIN

May 15, 2021
IKA LANDLORDSIKA LANDLORDS

Members of Ika Landlords/Landladies Association has during her monthly meeting held on Tuesday May 11, 2021 raised alarm over the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC Agbor Business Unit defrauding Ika people in disguise of free prepaid meter installation.

The group speaking through its Chairman, Comr. Vincent Arimokwu, said BEDC Agbor Business Unit Manager, Engr. Amos Bamgboje and his Project Director for free prepaid meter installation, Mr. Henry Dafe have betrayed the trust they reposed in them by breaching the agreement reached that the sum of only two thousand five hundred naira (N2500) will be paid as an appreciation fees by any resident to be installed with prepaid meter.

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According to him, “BEDC Agbor Business Unit has defrauded the people again by demanding for the sum of fifteen thousand naira (N15000) as against two thousand five hundred naira as an appreciation fees for the installation of prepaid meters.

“I can recall vividly our resolutions at the meeting which we held with Engr. Bamgboje and Mr. Dafe on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, when they formally informed us of the arrival of free prepaid meters and the instant commencement of its installation. Despite our differences, the meeting ended peacefully with the resolution that the sum of only two thousand five hundred naira appreciation fees be paid after installation and that we have no business with LECAN for the fact the body had before now certified our residents for electricity installation.

“At first, we were not ready to pay any money for the prepaid meter installation but after dialogue and out of sentiment, freewill and cooperation, we accepted to pay the sum of two thousand five hundred naira only. But, it is very unfortunate and disappointing that Engr. Bamgboje and Mr. Dafe went behind us and is collecting the sum of Fifteen Thousand Naira as registration for free prepaid meter installation and wiring charges.

“The fifteen thousand naira collection is illegal and fraud since we have concluded that there should be no further payment apart from the two thousand five hundred naira agreed”.

Continuing, Mr. Arimokwu warned landlords/landladies in Ika land never to succumb to the illegal money charges of BEDC for installation of prepaid meter, saying that whoever indulges in it shall face arrest. He further stated that the association has equally resolved to protest for the illegal collection, demand for the immediate removal Engr. Bamgboje and Mr. Dafe.

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Ika Landlords/Landladies Association chairman further confirm the illegal money collection saying, “The last time I visited the first phase area of installation (Deeper Life Street in Boji-Boji Owa), one of the BEDC staff whom I quarried to ascertain speedy work responded to me that the people are not showing interest because they failed to pay the registration fees of fifteen thousand naira”.

He also used the opportunity to inform the people that there are no pre-condition for the installation of prepaid meters, saying that it is free, apart from the appreciation token fees of two thousand five hundred naira for a job well done.

Confirming the fifteen thousand naira illegal collection by BEDC, Agbor Business Unit, a landlord in UBE area of Agbor-Technical College, Agbor, Mr. Ikenchukwu Emeghai said they were informed of the payment last week Wednesday with a threat that anyone who fails to pay will be disconnected. He said he was the one who stopped those intending to pay because he wanted to meet the BEDC manager first to confirm that reason for the payment, disclosing that as at when he visited his office, he was told that Engr. Bamgboje was not on seat.

REPORTED BY PATRICK GBUCHANYE