Angry protesters, on Friday in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, grounded commercial activities in Sapele metropolis over poor power supply and alleged crazy estimated bills.
The protesters also barricaded the Sapele axis of the ever-busy Benin/Warri highway, chanting war songs against Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The residents, who are demanding a 12-hour electricity supply, accused BEDC of insensitivity towards the dwindling economic fortunes of the ancient city.
The protesters were armed with placards inscriptions such as “NIPP, show us our MoU and power or step down;” “we don tire for darkness;” “Funke Ole;” “No light, no pay;” and “we want step down.”
Others were: “revoke BEDC licence and introduce prepaid metres,” “BEDC activities are all fraud” and “BEDC is incompetent and lack the skill to deliver power to the people.”
Both sides of Sapele axis of the highway were barricaded, as travellers and motorists were prevented from continuing with their trips.
The huge crowd occupied over 10 kilometres spanning from Sapele Main Market to Olympia roundabout down to Amukpe – Eku roundabout.
The protesters included market women, politicians, members of the civil society groups, among others.
The protesters embarked on a long march along major streets of Sapele to Amukpe, before moving downwards to the Ogorode-Sapele Power Generating Station and the NIPP Power Station.
They decried the average supp
ly of three hour-daily electricity supply to the town, which they said, has hampered development in the town.
One of the protesters and organisers of the protest, Mr Solomon Abeke, described the protesters’ action as “the best way,” to vent their anger against the alleged insensitivity of BEDC.
We have two generating stations and a transmission station here in Sapele, yet we live in perpetual darkness.”
Another protester, Mr Mike Egbune, who doubles as a civil right activist, described BEDC’s action as oppressive.
He said the decision of the protesters to barricade the highway was to call the Federal Government’s attention to the plight of the people.
“Companies are closing down. Small scale businesses are folding up, and nightlife practically non-existent.”
Barrister Mike also alleged that BEDC was “insensitive to their plight. Imagine, twice now, we have protested and passed our demands to them.”
They keep promising without doing anything. They say we are owing them over two billion naira.
They want us to pay for darkne
ss. Let them tell us how, or is it the estimated bills they told us was an error from their part, that we are going to pay for,” Egbune lamented.
No official of BEDC could be reached for reactions.
and then