Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin City, Edo State
Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, spokesman for the Edo PDP campaign council, recently addressed the power supply issues at the University of Benin during an appearance on the “Edo Watch” show, duly monitored by Truth Live News.
He explained that the crisis stemmed from an exorbitant estimated electricity bill issued by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). The bill amounted to a staggering Two Hundred and Eighty Million Naira per month.
Faced with this hefty charge, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin decided to refuse payment, leading BEDC to cut off the university’s power supply entirely. This disconnection prompted student protests, highlighting the severe impact of the power outage on campus life.
Dr Pedro Obaseki, a member of the university’s advisory committee, shared that the alumni association swiftly moved to address the situation by proposing the installation of solar panels in the seven halls of residence. So far, they have successfully raised One Hundred and Fifty Three Million Naira for this initiative, with Asue Ighodalo among the notable donors.
Pedro Obaseki emphasized that this situation should not be manipulated for political gain to undermine the achievements of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration. He stressed the importance of viewing the resolution efforts as a collective responsibility rather than a political issue.
The host and other guests on the “Edo Watch” program expressed their gratitude to Pedro Obaseki for providing clarity on the matter and for his efforts in seeking a sustainable solution for the university’s power needs.