Students and staff of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, are sitting on the edge of provocation that could lead to unrest and strike over power outage in the school which has been on for over a month now.

The issue has now been compounded as the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC Plc, the power distribution company in Edo State, servicing the school, last week formally disconnected the school from its services as a result of non-payment of bills.

The reason behind the electricity crisis is attributed to the recent increase in electricity tariff for some categories of consumers as approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC ) which reportedly shot up the university’s monthly electricity bill from N80 million to over N250 million.

The non-availability of electricity on the campus is putting a strain on the students and staff as they, including lecturers, have resorted to using solar powered facilities including lights in their offices with others using generators.

READ ALSO: Police Crack Down On Pro-Palestine Protest, Arrest Six Shi’ites In Abuja

The health centre at the Ugbowo campus is worst hit as health officials don’t have access to light from 10 pm when the three hours the school put on its generating set is exhausted daily and at times, workers on night duty use torchlights.

Strategic offices including the secretariat of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) run on generators and there is no substantive Students Union Government (SUG) since the union was disbanded after some of its officials invaded the Senior Staff Quarters when a governorship candidate was their guest, an action that was seen as an affront on the management and staff of the university by the students.

The students are at the mercy of the management of the school as at now.

The BEDC disconnected the university from its services following their inability to reach agreement over the contentious electricity billing.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Police Arrest Suspected Killer Of Fresh UNIBEN Graduate In Delta

The obvious implication is that staff cannot deliver on their work 100 percent “because it is only the administrative block that the generator can power throughout working hours” and the students cannot have a conducive environment to learn.

When contacted, the Head, Branding and Corporate Communications of BEDC, Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen, attributed the increase in energy tariff to the directive of the NERC. “The new tariff system determines what ‘Band A’ customers would pay, there is nothing deliberate about any customer.

“It is a general policy that when customers don’t pay their bills, they will be disconnected. And it is when such a customer pays his bills that he would be reconnected,” she added.

The Public Relations Officer of the University, Mrs Beneditta Ehanire, when contacted said “Management is bending backwards really but will continue to sue for patience because everyone is tensed. Yesterday, a tanker was engaged to supply water to a hostel that had a water challenge.”

READ ALSO: 22-year-old UNIBEN Graduate Beaten, Raped To Death, Family Seeks Justice

The statement the University issued a few weeks ago said the University paid the over eighty million Naira monthly bill up till April, 2024 in the two campuses of Ugbowo and Ekehuan.

“The delay to Pay the May bill is as a result of the disputed astronomically increased bill of over two hundred and fifty million naira, monthly, thrust on the University by BEDC.

“Despite the challenges, Management of the University has gone the length to ensure that students do not suffer unduly by providing generator light to all the hostels between the hours of 6am to 7am and 7pm to 10pm daily.

“Management appeals once again to staff and students to be patient and to demonstrate understanding of the situation as it is also exploring alternative power sources including solar energy.”

South-East governors, on Tuesday, announced that they will interface with the federal government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

This formed part of the communiqué issued after a meeting of the Forum in Enugu.

At the meeting, which also had other stakeholders in attendance, were governors Hope Uzodinma, Dr. Alex Otti, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru of Imo, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states, respectively, as well as the host, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

The communiqué reads,

“The Forum commiserated with Government and people of Abia State, Ebonyi State, Imo State, South East, Nigeria and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu’s Family on the demise of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

READ ALSO: Delta Court Sentences Two To Death For Murder, Robbery, Rape

“The Forum received the delegation of the Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, and His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR, Obi of Onitsha who came on a solidarity visit to the Forum.

“The Forum deliberated on the reviewed report of the South East Security and economic Summit held in Owerri on the 28th September, 2023 and agreed to implement the aspects of the report pertaining to security and economic integration and affirmed its desire to put actionable plans on the key issues agreed.

“The Forum resolved to visit Mr. President to discuss pressing issues concerning the South East Region.

“The Forum also resolved to interface with the Federal Government to secure the release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.”

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has called on all corps members across the country to take the lead and advocate for national development and transformation.

Mohammed made the call in Bauchi on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of 1,500 2024 Batch ‘B’ stream 1 corps members posted to the state at the permanent orientation camp in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.

“The principles and initiatives of the scheme recognise the immense physical, psychological, mental, and intellectual capabilities and inclinations of our youth, whose strategic importance is crucial for nation-building.

“I challenge you to take the lead and advocate for national development and transformation. I am confident that, like those who came before you, you are prepared for this task.

READ ALSO: Indiscipline Not Tolerated here – NYSC Warns Corps Members

“I urge you to take this noble call seriously and commit yourselves wholeheartedly to achieving the Scheme’s objectives of national unity and development.

“Your predecessors laid a solid foundation. I trust that you will continue to build upon the legacy they have left behind.

“The people of Bauchi State are supportive of and aligned with the goals and principles of the NYSC, consequently, we have pledged to collaborate with you in every possible way to ensure the success of the Scheme in the State,” he said.

Represented by his Deputy, Alh Auwal Jatau, Mohammed also implored the corps members to heed the nation’s call to serve with increased dedication and commitment, adding that the future of the country rested in their hands.

READ ALSO: Bauchi Govt Organizes Fabric Competition For Students

The governor, who acknowledged that the corps members had a significant role to play in shaping Nigerians collective destiny, urged them not to squander the unique opportunity nor should they neglect their responsibilities to the nation.

Also speaking, the Bauchi state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, said that the corps members must understand that the orientation course was designed to challenge them physically, mentally, and emotionally.

According to her, the curriculum was tailored to instill in them physical and leadership attributes essential for future endeavors.

“They will find value and enjoyment in a variety of activities such as physical exercises led by the Army, leadership workshops by the Man ‘O’ War, and expert lectures from both internal and external sources.

READ ALSO: OPINION: Is This The Renewed Hope Nigerians Subscribed To?

“They will have the opportunity to volunteer for training with organizations like the EFCC, ICPC, SDGs and I encourage them to take advantage of such opportunities as they will benefit from the lessons in the years to come.

“Efforts are currently being made at all government levels to steer the youth away from activities that hinder the nation’s growth and development,” she said.

The Coordinator explained that a total of 1,217 prospective corps members were successfully registered which comprised 570 males and 647 females.