Ondo State in Total Darkness,Residents Groan Over 8-Day Blackout.

Residents of Akure, capital of Ondo State, and many other towns are upset about a week-long total electric power outage, they are demanding for explanation.


The power outage was triggered by a major technical problem at the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) that supplies electric power to the state. Many residents said they had not had power since  Sunday Nov.02.2014
“We are not happy over this issue,” said Bayo Adelokun, a resident of the Aule section of Akure. He continued: “For over a week, we have not had electricity in this street. And I learnt that the whole Ondo State is experiencing the same bad situation.”

Several business owners bemoaned the economic impact of the power outage. “We have been running generators nonstop and the cost of fuel is very high,” said one retailer. Another business owner said his activities “have been paralyzed,” disclosing that local manufacturers that rely on electricity are shutting down.

Many artisans such as welders, barbers, refrigerator and electronic technicians, fishermen, frozen food sellers are now idle, as there is no power to carry on their businesses.

One resident noted that the price of frozen goods had increased sharply over the last few days.

Ms. Kemi Awoyeni, who owns a 'cold room' store at Oba Adesida Market, said that the blackout was a disaster to her business, as her frozen goods had gone bad. “Nothing is more frustrating than this. For seven days, there was no power in my shop. And mostly all the frozen goods in there have spoiled. This is a big shortage in business for me,” she said.

Relatives of a patient at one of the private hospitals said the hospital had charged them extra fees to cover the cost of running a power generator.

The aggrieved residents said no official of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) had talked to them to explain the situation or offer an apology.

“All I know is that there is a fault on the transmission that generates power to Ondo State and some of its environs. But I don't know that major fault. We are still confused.” A BEDC Official

Another low level official in BEDC’s Akure office said the fault was from Osogbo, in Osun State, but added that the cause of that problem “is confusing.” According to him, “We have not gotten the major problem. You know Osogbo's feeder supplies Ondo electricity. We are just troubleshooting and re-directing the lines from Osogbo in Osun State. The problem with the fault is confusing and I can't give further details than this.”
Ms. Awoyeni accused the BEDC officials of “taking us for granted,” insisting that the company “should explain to us what exactly is happening not just act as if everything is normal.”

Some residents threatened to stage protests if the problem persists, adding that such action might not augur well with the electricity firm.