Specifically, the residents alleged that the Distribution Company’s officials have begun illegal removal of supply cables to homes and businesses, with a vow to throw the entire “Aiyede-Ogbese kingdom” into darkness.
The residents, who spoke through the Odopetu, High Chief Oladimeji Abitogun, on behalf of the Regent of the town, Princess kofoworola Oluyede-Olagbaju, alleged that the BEDC officials were waging “the electricity war” against the community in retaliation for a 14-day notice served on the Disco by the community: to provide them pre-paid meters or risk suspension of electricity bills’ payment.
Abitogun said, “We are demanding immediate supply of pre-paid meters and the need to stop arbitrary billing methods because we are continually being scammed through crazy bills that are apparently not affordable.
“For instance, a peasant who can hardly afford the three square meal and lives in a little apartment without refrigerator or air-conditioner is being asked to pay N10, 000 or N12, 000 monthly. How does he survive?
“And knowing that he is unable to pay, he is now being asked to bribe with N2, 000 or have his supply disconnected.
“That is why we have insisted that enough is enough; we want pre-paid meters or nothing,” Abitogun said.
The community leader, however, pointed fingers at two BEDC officials simply identified as Nicholas and Ayeni, who reportedly called on the phone and threatened “to throw Ayede Ogbese into eternal darkness, similar to what Ese-Odo, Ilaje and Akoko people have experienced for close to five years”.
Meanwhile, the BEDC has apologised for the misconduct of Nicholas and Ayeni.
At a parley with the leaders of the community over the weekend, the BEDC head, marketing unit from Owo, Mr. Samuel Igbinoba, said that the attitude of the two individuals was not a reflection of the discipline and ethics of the energy distribution company.
He said that BEDC was willingly to enter into negotiations with the residents of Ayede-Ogbese in order to put a more inhumane structure and billing method in place.
Igbinoba promised to convey the complaints and demands of the community to the BEDC headoffice in Benin-City, Edo State.
