By Eben Enasco
Against the backdrop of epileptic power supply in Evbuobanosa, Abudu, and environs in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, the Minority Whip in the Edo State House of Assembly Hon. Osamwonyi Atu, is calling on the authority to urgently intervene.
Hon Atu, a member Representing Orhionmwon East Constituency, at the plenary on Tuesday, presented a motion seeking the restoration of power supply to the affected communities which he said has crumbled the economic activities.
His motion, however, received deliberate support from the member representing Orhionmwon South Constituency, Hon. Bright Iyamu who said the area had suffered near zero electricity supply spanning seven years.
On some of the challenges faced by the people, Hon Atu argued that, it has depopulated the aforementioned localities, stressing the day-to-day benefits of electricity supply that has eluded the people thereby creating more hardships.
He noted that the cost of furnishing generators has further worsened the living conditions due to the recent hike in fuel pump prices in the country.
Atu said the people have made several efforts over the years to attract the government’s attention to prevail on Benin Electricity Development Company (BEDC), to restore electricity supply to the localities to boost their economic activities, but yielded no result.
While reinstating his commitment to offering dividends of democracy and sustainable development in Orhionmwon East Constituency, He Commended the dexterity and foresight of Governor Godwin Obaseki for providing an alternative electricity supply to the doorstep of the people.
Experts in the oil and gas industry said 600 million Africans, including Nigerians, lack access to power with the majority living in rural areas.
They said that the continent requires much energy supply to bridge the gap in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which are targeted at eradicating poverty, improving education, and promoting economic growth, among others.
