Real Reason For Recent Blackout In Edo, Delta, Ondo And Ekiti

Power outages have plunged households and business premises across Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states into total blackout following the shutdown of operational facilities by electricity workers under the auspices of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).

The industrial action by the power sector union stems from an unresolved dispute with the management of BEDC Electricity Plc regarding staff emoluments, welfare packages, and operational conditions.

At the corporate headquarters of BEDC in Benin City, union executives blocked access gates to prevent non-striking staff from gaining entry into offices while shutting down critical transmission and distribution infrastructure.

The sudden operational halt forced numerous corporate employees to vacate office premises early, as executive management moved to hold emergency negotiations with national and regional NUEE representatives.

A senior management source within the distribution company expressed surprise over the sudden shutdown, noting that the company had recently reviewed worker welfare structures.

We are surprised at their action, some of them even harassed some of our staff trying to record their actions. The current management recently reviewed their emoluments, I am surprised that they shut down facilities of the company, the official disclosed off the record.

Confirming ongoing attempts to resolve the crisis, acting State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bernard Egwakide, stated that labor leadership had initiated mediation steps between both parties.

But right now, the leadership of NUEE is in a meeting with the management of the company, let us see how far they can resolve it, that will determine if we will intervene, Egwakide explained.

In a related regional development, civil unrest erupted in Akure, the Ondo State capital, after commercial motorcycle operators, locally known as Okada riders, clashed with revenue collectors over alleged double taxation and excessive levy enforcement.

Protesting riders grounded transport services across key corridors in the metropolis, resisting demands by revenue agents enforcing a ₦7,000 emblem charge purportedly issued on behalf of the Akure South Local Government Area.

Commercial rider Jimoh Akindele lamented the economic toll of repeated revenue collection on daily earners across the capital city.

What they are doing is double taxation. How can Fasua be selling emblem for riders in Akure South for N7,000? They send boys to different locations to collect money from us. We were told the money is for Akure South Local Government and not for the state government. The state government is not even aware. We cannot continue like this. Enough is enough, Akindele stated.

Another commercial rider identified as Adekunle accused revenue enforcers of employing intimidation tactics against transport operators while calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to step in.

We pay in the morning and another person will come later to demand another ticket. When we ask, they will say it is for Akure South council. No satisfactory explanation. Fasua is even using the local security outfit he created, Tiger Base, to harass and terrorise Okada riders in Akure. This is wrong, he alleged.

Reacting to the civil unrest, Akure South Local Government Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Fasua, denied issuing the disputed emblems or authorizing the levy collections across the council area.

I told them to hold on with these sales. Let’s get clarity from Mr. Governor. I went to about two other spots and told them to suspend the sales until we get clarity from the governor. I am the representative of the people of Akure. I was voted for and I am their voice. That was why I said, let me speak with the governor about it, Fasua clarified, urging calm among residents and transport workers.