The Okpanam community in Delta State, Nigeria, recently staged a protest against prolonged power outages, alleged extortion by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and rising insecurity2. The protesters, led by the Okpanam Youth Organization, marched to the Delta State Government House in Asaba, carrying placards with messages like “We say no to BEDC” and “Stop the exploitation, BEDC”. They highlighted the devastating impact of the blackout on businesses, households, and security infrastructure, which has left the community vulnerable to crime.
The youths also criticized BEDC for imposing heavy estimated electricity bills that do not reflect actual consumption, creating financial burdens for residents. In response, the Chief of Staff to the Governor assured the protesters that the government is working on legislative solutions to address power supply challenges
The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) is one of Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies, responsible for the retail distribution of electricity across Delta, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo States. BEDC operates within a geographical coverage of over 55,000 square kilometers, serving millions of people and households.
As a distribution company, BEDC’s primary role is to ensure the delivery of electricity from the national grid to end-users, including homes, businesses, and industries. They also handle customer services, billing, and metering, as well as maintaining and upgrading the distribution infrastructure.
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