The Ekiti State Commissioner for Public Utilities and Infrastructure, Mr Deji Adesina has assured Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) of the state government’s commitment to partner with it, to enable it achieve its corporate objectives, even as he canvassed prompt payment of electricity bills by citizens of the state.
He gave this assurance during a Town Hall meeting held at Olojido Palace, Ido-Ekiti at the weekend.
Mr Adesina according to a statement from BEDC, said the plea for electricity payment on regular basis was informed by the fact that responsibility for the collection of revenue shared by the entire power sector value chain rested on BEDC hence only prompt payment of bills can facilitate the realization of such objectives.
He noted that the idea of prompt payment of electricity would enable BEDC serve the people of Ekiti State better since it was only one of the company’s four state of operation.
Adesina also requested that BEDC should outsource the procurement of prepaid meters to licensed contractors since according to him, it is the only way to ascertain the customers’ actual consumption.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief state Head for Ondo/Ekiti, Mr Ernest Edgar said BEDC is entitled to only 9 per cent of whatever power is generated in the country and this will be shared among the four states under the company’s coverage.
He stated that the need that prompt payment by the customer was the only antidote for more power to the customer.
The BEDC boss, further explained the nature of distribution of electricity which he said is naked and this can only explain why most people steal illegal connection or hanging of wire at night.
He district accountant explained to the audience different payment channels available to the customers which according to him include Point of Sales (POS), commercial banks, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or online payments. He advised customers not to give cash out but rather use any of these means made available by BEDC.
In another development, as the country explores the diversification of the economy as a means of ensuring national survival following the continued drop in the prices of crude oil, the Chief State Head, Ondo/Ekiti, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) Mr. Ernest Edgar has said that electricity is a crucial enabler for sustainable development and growing prosperity in the area of agriculture. BEDC, he further noted was an enabler and willing to partner with government, citizens and potential investors on economic re-generation.
Mr. Edgar who made the assertion further said that there was hardly any branch of agriculture which electricity should not be employed, made the remarks in a paper titled “Electricity as an Agricultural Enabler in Ekiti State which he presented at the Ekiti State Agricultural Summit held at the Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Iyin Road in Ado Ekiti.
He highlighted the various uses of electricity in agriculture which includes fertilizer production, Irrigation, storage and agro-allied Industries.
According to him, the various roles the BEDC will play in agricultural Industrialization of the state will include construction of dedicated feeders embedded generation, advisory services on locations where constant power is assured.
He said that BEDC was ready and willing to partner with Ekiti State to re-generate her economy through Agriculture and enjoined Ekiti State Government to partner with BEDC on how to strategically locate, an agro allied Industries where quality and constant power supply can be guaranteed.on among others.