BEDC loses 39 transformers to vandals in Edo

The management of BEDC electricity Plc said it has so far lost 39 transformers to vandalised in Edo State.

Funke Osibodu, managing director of the company, who gave the hint at a press conference in Benin City Friday, said that several number of transformers were also lost in Delta State.

Osibodu, who said the two states recorded the highest number of vandalism of facilities, added that the security operatives have commenced investigations into the incidents.

She also disclosed that 49 communities had since been connected to the national grid while nine communities are also about to be connected.

She listed some of the communities where  light were restored to after several years of blackout to include Erinijiyan, Ipoleloro, Ikogosi as well as three communities connected to Ilawe/Aramoko feeder.

She said the feat was achieved in collaboration with Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the National Independent Power Project (NIPP).

Others are Ode-Aye community and Igbokoda in Ondo South Local Government that have been without power supply for 5-14 years.

The BEDC boss also said power supply was restored to Illah and Idumuju-Unor communities in Oshimili North and Aniocha North Local Government Areas of Delta State as well as Onichi Uku, Onichi Ona and Patani, among others.

She further added that electricity supply was restored to some parts of Benin metropolis after the major outage that reduced supply to major parts of the city till December 2018 due to the failure of two out of the three transmissions company of Nigeria transformers supplying power for distribution to customers in major parts of the city.

While commending the Edo State House of Assembly for passing energy theft bill, she noted that the passage was in line with the Federal Government’s anti-corruption fight.

On the company’s corporate social responsibility, she said over 20,000 exercise books with, safety tips  have been donated to some primary and secondary schools in Edo state as part of its commitment to reducing electrical accidents among school children.

“As part of giving back to the society, selected schools will get educational materials from BEDC, which includes branded exercise books and snapper frames inscribed with safety tips, safety message, need school materials and upgrades amongst other items.

“In addition to the safety campaign, BEDC will also commence the formation of energy clubs called, “Joules” in secondary schools. The growth of Joules club will metamorphose into a debate competition among member schools.

“The objectives of the Joules clubs is a to groom secondary school students to take up careers in the electricity industry and to boost the current drive by BEDC and other Discos to tackle manpower gap in the power sector.

“It will also encourage students to embrace the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative in their career path, including the females and also bridge the knowledge gap in the power industry by educating students on the entire electricity value chain,” she said.

IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, BENIN