Monarchs lead protests against blackout in Ekiti

The Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Olu Adeyemi, today led his subjects to lead protest against power cut by Benin Electricity Distribution Company.

The traditional ruler of Aramoko Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, lamented that the community had been thrown into darkness in the last sux months.

At a nearby town in Erio Ekiti, the regent of the community, Princess Adejoke Adetoyinbo Ojo, also led her subjects to the streets to protest blackout she also said had lasted for about six months.

The protesters blocked the busy Erio-Aramoko-Ijero-Ado Ekiti roads which led to gridlock for vehicles travelling from Ado and Ijero through Aramoko, as well as those coming into Ekiti State from Osun State.

Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Kolapo Olubunmi Olushola, while addressing the protesters appealed to them to clear the barricades.

Oba Adeyemi lamented that the BEDC had disconnected the community from the national grid without the community’s knowledge, even though they were among the communities that pay their bills.

“The BEDC has not done well by disconnecting us without our knowledge. This unjust treatment is part of the insult and injury we are suffering in the hands of BEDC.

“Our request is direct: Fayose administration did it before, he connected us to Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), and we were enjoying it. We want him to return us to IBEDC. In terms of payment, we are among the communities that pay our bills.

“BEDC is cheating us. When they give us electricity for five minutes, they would have five hours in their record. We found that they haven’t got measuring rod in this area but they said they have a pool where they take the records from where they distribute the bills. How can we pay for services not rendered? That is one of the problems we have with them.”

While thanking the governor for promptly stepping into the problem, Princess Ojo said the communities had been meeting and debating what to do because our people are agitated.

- Punch