Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki has flagged off the
sale of 500,000 pre-paid meters to residents across local governments areas in the state to check estimated billings.
She said the initiative was geared to make electricity meters affordable for residents, eliminate estimated billings and boost Small and Medium Scale businesses.
Betsy who disclosed this during the flag off ceremony held in Benin City, noted that the Edo State Government was passionate about ending the sufferings of the people, hence the initiative.
The Edo governor’s wife also commended the Benin disco and other partners for their collaboration, just as she urged for adequate awareness on the registration processes to enable the people key into the project.
Also, the State Commissioner for Mining, Energy, Oil and Gas, Hon. Enaholo Ojiefo said the project was part of the governor Godwin Obaseki administration’s drive for 24 hours power supply in the state.
Ojiefo said residents who apply and make payment through the dedicated portal would be connected within two weeks.
According to him, “the distribution processes would be 100 percent transparent for Edo people.
“There is a committee which included local government chairman, and there would be registration centres across the 18 local government councils.
“The Edo state government also intend to solar-power places of worship, hospitals, hotels and SMEs. We will build solars for them , so they can pay after four years.
“Recall that Edo State Government push for stable power led to the birth of Ossiomo Power Plant and the new electricity law which is what we are enjoying.
“Edo would have spent 30 percent of its budget on diesel if not for Obaseki’s electricity project through Ossiomo which is powering Edo goverment facilities.”