Edo Monarch Scraps Electricity Bills For Okpella Residents

Residents of Okpella Kingdom in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State will stop paying electricity bills from July 1, 2026, following a directive by the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, His Royal Majesty, King Michael Sado.

The monarch announced the initiative during activities marking his first coronation anniversary, describing it as a landmark intervention aimed at improving the welfare of residents and promoting sustainable development across the kingdom.

King Sado said the programme would guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply to homes, business premises, schools and healthcare facilities while relieving residents of the financial burden of paying electricity bills.

According to the traditional ruler, the initiative forms part of his administration’s broader development agenda focused on expanding infrastructure, improving education, empowering young people and stimulating economic growth in the kingdom.

He explained that the free electricity programme complements other interventions introduced under his reign, including scholarship awards, educational support programmes and the establishment of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre to equip youths with digital skills.

A resident of the community, Suleiman Dekiri, described the announcement as a bold and far-reaching initiative capable of transforming the local economy.

“As implementation begins, this initiative has the potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of Okpella,” he said.

Dekiri expressed optimism that the programme would stimulate economic activities, attract investment and improve the standard of living of residents.

However, details of the implementation framework, funding mechanism and operational structure of the electricity scheme had yet to be made public as of the time of filing this report.

The announcement has generated excitement across the kingdom, with many residents looking forward to the commencement of the initiative on July 1.