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Protest, Unrest Looms As BEDC Disconnects UNIBEN From National Grid

Published

10 months ago

July 3, 2024

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

News

Nigerian doctor dares EFCC to go after Tompolo as he shares video of the ex-militant being sprayed Naira Notes at an event

Published

14 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

Admin

A Nigerian Medical doctor @ourfavonlinedoc on X, has dared the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to invite former Niger Delta Militant, Tompolo, for questioning after a video of him being sprayed with Naira Notes surfaced online.

He share a video showing Tompolo being sprayed Naira notes as the ex-militant danced around the money.

He wrote;

‘’Dear @officialEFCC come out o.

Here is Tompolo mutilating the Naira.

I know the eyes of that your eagle will suddenly go blind but I am bringing this to your attention publicly so the whole world will see you are a shameless agency with double standards.

Mutilation of the Naira is not just spraying the Naira. It is stepping on the currency, dancing on the currency and any activities that damage the integrity of the notes.

I would expect that human beings with a working brain to ordinarily know something this simple and basic.

But of course, moronic slaves committed to the defence of their oppressors won’t know this.”

Watch the video he shared below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJhNbQRteJF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

News

Wike urges contractors to ensure quality in project delivery

Published

24 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

Admin

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has urged contractors executing different projects in the territory to deliver within expected quality.

Wike stated this on Monday, when he inspected some ongoing projects within the capital city, in preparation for inauguration to celebrate President Bola Tinubu second year in office.

One of the projects inspected is the ongoing construction of the 16-kilometre Inner Northern Expressway from Idu to Dei Dei, being executed by Salini.

The minister also inspected the ongoing construction of Jahi Interchange, being constructed by Gilmor, to connect Wole Soyinka Way with the Murtala Mohammed Expressway.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and the quality of the projects so far

He commended the contractors for working day and night to deliver the projects within the delivery timeline.

“The contractors have assured us that they are going to meet up with the deadline; they are working day and night.

“I have confidence that in the next two weeks the projects will look different and at finishing level.

“I am impressed with the contractors executing the two projects and what is important is the quality of job,” he said.

News

2nd Anniversary: Tinubu to commission Abuja International Conference Centre – Wike

Published

32 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

Admin

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, says the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC) will be the first project to be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike, who stated this after inspecting the project in Abuja on Friday, explained that the project would be inaugurated to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office.

He commended Julius Berger, the contractor executing the total renovation of the edifice for the quality of job so far.

He also commended the company for working based on agreed timeline for completion of the project.

The minister said that the centre was in a terrible state before Tinubu directed that it should be rehabilitated and upgraded to the status of an international conference centre.

He said that the centre was built in 1991 saying “it is surprising that no one had attempted to give it a facelift until now.

He described the feat as a prime example of “effective leadership”.

No responsible leader would allow such a facility to be referred to as an international conference centre, given its deplorable state.

“Today, the centre has been transformed into a world-class facility, thanks to Mr. President’s leadership and support.

“That’s what leadership is all about,” Wike said.

The minister also inspected the ongoing extension of Obafemi Awolowo Way (N5), from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, being executed by Julius Berger.

He expressed optimism that the first phase of the project would be part of the projects that would be inaugurated by Tinubu to celebrate his second anniversary in office.

He commended the contractor for keeping to the project timeline saying, “their commitment to excellence was evident in every aspect of the project, from the equipment used to the skilled labour employed.

“This project is a testament to the renewed hope agenda, and we’re thrilled to see it come to fruition,” Wike said.