The Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Charity Aiguobarueghian, has criticised the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), accusing it of systemic exploitation and impunity in the power sector.
Aiguobarueghian, who represents Ovia North-East Constituency I, alleged that some communities are being forced to pay additional fees before being connected to transformers already provided through constituency interventions.
He made the allegation while receiving members of the Otuedo N’ Ogbenbe (Benin Journalists Forum) during a courtesy visit, where he also commended the group for its role in promoting development in Edo South Senatorial District.
The lawmaker cited the case of Evbuomore community, which he said had suffered months of blackout due to a faulty transformer, prompting him to provide a replacement.
However, he alleged that BEDC refused to energise the transformer unless the community paid between ₦3 million and ₦4 million.
He further disclosed that in another community, a newly installed transformer had remained unused for an extended period, leaving residents without electricity despite the availability of infrastructure.
“I intervened by providing a transformer, yet the same company is demanding millions before the community can be connected. This is the anomaly we must address,” he said.
Aiguobarueghian warned that such practices worsen hardship for citizens and undermine government efforts to improve living conditions.
He called on relevant authorities to urgently investigate BEDC’s operations and ensure accountability in electricity distribution.
Officials of BEDC had yet to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
Earlier, the Convener of Otuedo N’ Ogbenbe, Edosa Okunbo, commended the lawmaker for what he described as impactful representation.