…Assures Stable Power Supply To COVID-19 Centres, Others
As part of efforts to cushion the effect of the lockdown occasioned by the novel coronavirus, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc, has donated 6,000 5kg bags of rice and 4,000 cartons of Idomie noodles to the governments of Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo states for onward distribution to the vulnerable groups and households in these franchise states.
The breakdown shows 1,500 5kg bags of rice for each state and 1,000 cartons of Idomie noodles for each state respectively.
Making the announcement and the consequent presentation of the palliative to Edo State government on behalf of the Managing Director of the company in Benin, Mr. Abu Ejoor, the Executive Director Commercial, said, as a company that is sensitive to the residents of franchise states, BEDC is set to further donate 50 units of motorised hand washing gears to strategic markets, and some communities under the DISCO.
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Ejoor added that, as part of the company’s support, stable power supply up to 24hours would be ensured in various government established COVID-19 centres and related hospitals.
” This has already commenced in Irrua Specialist Hospital in Uromi, Edo Central Hospital where we also intend to look at other supports we can give in ensuring that some of their vehicles/ambulances are fully operational. Also, for the centres under preparation in Oba Adejuyigbe Specialist Hospital, Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State and Warri in Delta State, BEDC has already commenced working with the government to ensure adequate electricity”, he added.
The Executive Director emphasised that BEDC has increased significantly, power availability to several customers in its coverage areas, stressing that the process of boosting the present grid power with additional power supply source through embedded generation has commenced.
He announced that the company has, in this trying time, suspended the ratotional load management schedule for several areas to enable customers enjoy more supply in their different locations.
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On the recent proposal by the House of Representatives to promote free electricity for two months, Ejoor said though BEDC align with the proposal, it is not yet signed into law hence electricity currently supplied to customers is not free.
He added, ” Though BEDC fully align with the proposal by the House of Representatives to promote free electricity supply to all Nigerians for 2 months to make life easier during the lockdown period over COVID-19 pandemic, this is not yet signed into law, as such the electricity currently supplied to customers is not free.”
Receiving the food items on behalf of the Edo State government, Mr Osarodion Ogie, Esq., thanked the management of BEDC for supporting the government in reaching out to the vulnerable in the society in this trying time.
He lamented that, due to the outbreak of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown, many families lifestyles have changed for the worst, as he called on individuals, corporate bodies to toe the path of BEDC.
He noted that, with what the distribution company has done, it shows the management is with the government in the fight against the pandemic.
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He said, “People have lost jobs; people who are into daily earnings cannot earn anything again. And the vulnerable people are feeling it more than some of us who are on salary. So, we are appealing to corporate bodies and individuals to assist the government.”
