Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), has reconnected the two communities of Edo and Otulu Ogwashi-Uku to the national grid after an eight-year blackout.
Residents erupted in celebration and flooded the streets, expressing their gratitude to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku for his relentless efforts in restoring electricity to their communities.
Obi (Dr) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II collaborated with community electricity committees to acquire the necessary poles, cables, transformers, and equipment to reconnect the communities.
Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, the palace secretary of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, confirmed BEDC’s restoration of power, attributing the success to the concerted efforts of the Obi and the chiefs of both communities.
“The two communities now have water and electricity as boreholes have been installed and connected.
“Additionally, scholarships have been secured for Ogwashi-Uku indigenes to study up to the university level.
“The Obi in Council is actively working to attract companies to set up factories and operations in these communities to spur development,” he stated.
Okwabani Anthony Enurah, the traditional chief of Otulu Ogwashi-Uku, voiced his joy and appreciation to the Obi, saying peace was elusive until Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II painstakingly reclaimed their communities.
“Edo and Otulu Ogwashi-Uku are farming settlements of the Ogwashi-Uku kingdom. For the past decade, the communities were overrun by criminals who turned them into hideouts for wanted criminals. Many of these criminals are now undergoing prosecution by the Ministry of Justice.
“It has been a challenging journey, but we can now look forward to developing our community with restored electricity,” he said.
