Mr. Vincent Arimokwu has revealed that Ika Community is ready to take Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), on a civil battle of ‘No Light No Pay’ owing to the inability of BEDC to meet up with their side of the bargain of providing adequate power for the people of Ika community. This, he said, in a joint meeting of Ika Landlords and Landladies Association, other stakeholders in Ika nation and BEDC Management staff including Ken Asowata, Senior Manager, Engr. Timothy Adeleye, Business Manager, and Odogwu Ifeanyi James.
The meeting which took place at Anioma Hospital premises, Boji-Boji Owa, on Wednesday, April 9, 2019 also had in attendance, representatives of various streets, quarters, professionals, market women, and Onu Ika.
According to Mr. Vincent Arimokwu, the chairman of Ika Landlords and Landladies Association, the reason for the gathering was to table their electrical power ordeals before the representatives of BEDC. Among the issues he listed were: poor electricity supply despite the presence of electricity step down in Ika, over billing of consumers without reading their meters, non-supply of the approved prepaid meters even after consumers have paid for them, failure of BEDC officials to distribute monthly bills to customers at their residences and business locations, and compelling consumers to replace damaged BEDC materials.
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Decrying their ordeals, Mr. Arimokwu called on BEDC to act fast, otherwise, Ika community will not only opt for “no light no pay action,” but will also discontinue her business with the electricity company.
His words, “You may recall that on the 31st of January 2017, Ika Landlords and Landladies Association and other stakeholders carried out a peaceful protest against the poor service of BEDC. Two years after, it has been made apparent that BEDC is not interested in addressing the issues. To this end, we are saying BEDC is taking us for granted and that we are being tempted to opt for no light any pay action, or better still, quit our business with BEDC.”
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One of the complainants who spoke, said, “I had the privilege of buying a transformer with all the installation components and went to BEDC office, requesting that they come for the installation, but, was told that I would have to be responsible for the installation. Now, the transformer is just laying waste in my compound.”
Other issues raised were the abandonment of fallen or rickety poles and the neglect of bad transformers.
Responding to the issues raised, Mr. Ken Asowata, Senior Manager, BEDC, pleaded for pardon and promised to attend to the issues within his power, while he would direct the ones above him to appropriate authorities.