By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

|

Following the persistent power outage that enters eleven days in Ado-Ekiti and its environment, the Ekiti State government on Tuesday passed a vote of no confidence on the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
It would be recalled that the state has been thrown into darkness for some days now following the sealing of the office of BEDC in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State by the officials of the Ado Local Government in the state.
The local government has alleged BEDC of evasion of operational permit and tenement rate of N10m.
Addressing newsmen on Tuesday, the Chairperson of Ado Local Government, Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi decried that many communities had been without electricity supply for many years despite the exorbitant estimated billing system, which she said has exposed residents to untold hardship.
Fajuyi said the activities of BEDC in the state are antithetical to the purpose of which it was established, saying it has failed to meet targets and demands of electricity consumers.
She lamented the uncorporative attitude of BEDC to pay off its accumulated tax owing the council despite overtures to ensure it defray the debt in a convenient manner.
“It is disheartening to note that since BEDC came into existence in Ekiti State, the company has evaded tax till date in spite of the enormous billing burden it places on electricity.
“With the BEDC arrogance and demonstration of being above the law, Ado Council on April 27, 2021 decided to seal one of the offices of the company to enforce compliance with our requests.
“To the dismay of the LG, BEDC instead of fulfilling the agreement reached with the council came up with a letter from its legal department, threatening fire and brimstone. The first letter was followed by a subsequent letter of intention to commence legal action.
“And the local government on its part is not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that lawless attitude of BEDC regarding tax evasion is redressed”, Fajuyi said.
She said that the decision to unseal the company’s office was sequel to series of appeals by Governor Kayode Fayemi, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe and other critical stakeholders in the state.
The Council boss who gave the BEDC two weeks ultimatum to offset the debt incurred, threatened that she would not hesitate to explore every legal means to retrieve the money owed.
She called on the Federal Government to review the BEDC’s contractual agreement or revoke the operational licence over the inability of the company to render effective and efficient service to electricity consumers.