…Just ignore the jokers – Engr Obe

Oredola Adeola

The Ondo State government has refuted claims regarding its alleged intention to terminate the services of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in four local government areas within the Ondo Southern Senatorial District, namely Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, and Ese-Odo.

Engr. Razak Obe, the Ondo State Commissioner for Energy, addressed the issue during a conversation with Advisors Reports on Wednesday.

He dismissed the statements made by His Royal Majesty Oba Afolabi Olugbokoda, Chairman of the Power Committee, labeling them as unfounded and misleading.

“Just ignore the jokers. BEDC hasn’t been removed,” Engr. Obe stated emphatically, indicating that the current electricity distribution arrangements remain unchanged.

The controversy arose from a circular issued by Oba Olugbokoda, which claimed that the Ondo State government had granted a license to Anyigba Independent Electricity Distribution Network (IEDN) to serve as the new electricity distributor for Okitipupa, Ilaje, Irele, and Ese-Odo.

The circular, which had widely circulated prior to the official denial, advised residents in the affected areas to cease patronizing BEDC, warning that doing so would be at their own risk.

Additionally, the circular urged communities to safeguard the installed infrastructures to prevent vandalism by miscreants and thieves.