Okpebholo Asks Reps To Probe Grid Failures

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has called for a diligent legislative investigation over the nation’s persistent power outage and grid collapse.

The governor made the call in Benin on Tuesday during an interfaced with members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Power Sector Reform and Expenditure.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, the governor, commended the committee chairman and members over the good work in the Green Chamber as well as the nation in general.

Okpebholo observed, “For us to have a robust economy, we must get the power sector right. If we have stable electricity, Nigeria will be one of the best nations on earth.”

The committee chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Aliyu noted that they are traveling around the country for the investigation and audit of the power sector reforms carried out from 2007 to 2024.

“We are in Edo State in continuation of our investigative activities. We have so far seen two generating companies – Azura and the Benin Generating Company.

“Today, we engaged the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, (BEDC), all in fact finding mission to establish the truth of what they have submitted before the adhoc committee few weeks ago,” he stated.

Commenting on the number of grid collapses between 2024 and 2025, Aliyu said one was bound to wonder on factors responsible for these challenges and effectiveness of the privatisation of the power sector itself.

This issues, he insisted, brought out  the need to conduct a, “forensic investigation on the policy itself, the strategies and role played by each stakeholders within the electricity sector, from 2007 to 2024.

“We are also to make physical assessments of some of the issues, since projects are involved, and also, based on the different contributions made by the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“We are out to know the truth and see how we can make things right,” he concluded.

The committee chairman praised the Edo State Government for the key role played in the power distribution sector by providing steady power supply and even transformers to subscribers.

Acting managing director/CEO BEDC, Engr. Jonathan Lawani upheld that there was a challenge in the light generating industry.

He affirmed, “The fact that the government is concerned and members of the National Assembly are here is a boost for us. Without proper government support and enabling environment, no business can thrive.

“We welcome the committee and are providing all necessary information that will enable them to provide necessary legislative support that will make the business move forward.

“In BEDC, we will be doing  everything to provide outside support for the grid challenges we have been having.

“We recognise the fact that the grid allocation we are having is not enough, adequate, and sufficient enough to power every customer within our franchise area.

“So, we have gone outside the grid to support and augment whatever we have. And, we are bringing people back to the grid to enjoy good power supply.”