Economy
EKITI State Government has urged Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to make pre-payment meters available to ensure fair billing of consumers in the state.
Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure and Public Utilities, gave the charge in Ado Ekiti during a meeting with the management of the electricity company in Ado-Ekiti.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was based on how to improve electricity supply in the state.
Aluko noted that electricity power supply to Ekiti State was grossly inadequate, considering the population of the state.
He stressed the need for a remarkable increase, expansion and a better service to the region.
Aluko highlighted efforts by the State Government to improve electricity supply to include private partnership in the construction of a 5-Megawatt Independent Power project (IPP), initiated by the immediate past administration under Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
He assured that Gov. Biodun Oyebanji would leave no stone unturned to improve electric power supply to the state, adding that the IPP would soon become operational and boost power generation in the state.
Aluko also called for proper investigation to be conducted on what happened to the 8,000 meters announced by the Federal Government to have been given to the state during the Covid-19 lock-down.
He also sought for collaboration from BEDC to look for ways of partnering the government on how the excess power that would be produced from the IPP would be sold to willing private individuals and corporate organisations in the state.
“This is to serve as an additional power to boost its own traditional and insufficient power supply,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mr Olumide Ajayi, listed communities without electricity power supply to include Iyemero, Ikogosi, Omuo, and parts of Ayekire Local Government Area/Gbonyin LCDA.
He also re-emphasised the determination of the state government towards working to end the erratic power supply in the state.
Responding, Mr Sunday Ofiebor, the Regional Head of BEDC, announced the re-organisation of BEDC in Ekiti State into a region of its own.
Ofiebor promised to ensure improved power supply in the state, adding that efforts were being put in place to serve Ekiti people very well.
He also emphasised the importance of prompt payment of bills by consumers, adding that failure to pay bills was inimical to efforts at improving electricity supply to the people. (NAN)
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Tags: BEDC Biodun Oyebanji Kayode Fayemi Prof. Mobolaji Aluko Sunday Ofiebor
