The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has announced a new law that will safeguard the rights of electricity users in the state from unfair billing practices by the Electricity Distribution Companies (EDCs). The new law will ensure that the users only pay for the electricity they consume, and not based on the estimated billing system that often imposes exorbitant charges on them.
Governor Oyebanji made this disclosure on Wednesday in Omuo Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local Government Council, while commissioning the 33KV electricity network that was extended to communities in Ekiti East, Ayekire and Gbonyin Local Government Areas. These communities had been without electricity for over a decade.
The Governor expressed his sympathy for the people who had suffered from the lack of electricity for so long, saying that it had adversely affected their economic activities and quality of life. He assured them that such a situation would never happen again in Ekiti, especially under his administration.
He also revealed that the state government fully funded the reconnection project, without any contribution from the BEDC. He said that the new law would prevent the BEDC from exploiting the people of Ekiti with arbitrary bills.
“I have signed a new bill into law that will make it impossible for anybody to cheat electricity users. Let me also say openly here that the reconnection project was fully funded by the state government, the BEDC didn’t play any role in it. Estimated billing has been the problem, but if you pay for what you used, nobody will complain. The new law will never allow anybody to cheat us in Ekiti, because you will now be paying for what you use. That they will come and cheat us will not happen again,” he said.
Governor Oyebanji also stated that the restoration of electricity in some of the communities would facilitate the provision of potable water by the government. He said that the government had rehabilitated three major dams but could not put them to proper use because of the absence of electricity. “So, aside from boosting economic activities, electricity will also enhance water supply to our communities,” he said.
The Governor urged the people to protect the electricity facilities in their communities from vandalism and sabotage. He also appreciated the traditional rulers and other citizens for their patience and cooperation during the challenging period.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, commended Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to improving the infrastructure and public services in the state. He said that the electricity restoration project showed that Governor Oyebanji placed high priority on promoting industrial development and attracting investments to Ekiti.
A member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti East/Gbonyin/Ayekire Federal Constituency, Hon. Femi Bamisile, praised Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his campaign promise to restore electricity to the affected communities. He said that the Governor had demonstrated his love and care for the people of Ekiti.
