Aggrieved youths from Okpanam, in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, on Thursday blocked the entrance to the Delta State Government House in Asaba, protesting what they described as an intentional power blackout imposed on the community by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company and rising insecurity.
The demonstrators expressed concern that the protracted blackout had produced a climate conducive to an increase in crime and other illegal acts, such as kidnappings and violence.
Before arriving at the Government House, the protesting youths marched through several major roads in the state capital, chanting protest songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “We say no to BEDC,” “Supply power to Okpanam,” “Enough is enough,” and “Stop the exploitation, BEDC.”
In a letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, read by the President-General of the Okpanam Youth Organisation, Mr Lucky Okolo, the protesters stated that the situation was “exacerbated by the company’s continued imposition of heavy estimated electricity bills, which do not reflect actual consumption and place an undue financial burden on our people.”
“For several years, Okpanam has been plunged into darkness, with no consistent or reliable power supply despite repeated complaints and appeals to BEDC.
“The company’s failure to restore electricity, coupled with its insistence on exorbitant estimated billing, demonstrates a blatant disregard for the welfare of our residents.
“The lack of electricity has had devastating effects on our community. Small and medium enterprises, as well as households, are struggling to function, leading to economic stagnation and job losses,” the letter read.
They remarked that the protracted blackout created a climate conducive to criminal activities, such as kidnappings and other forms of violence.
“The absence of lighting and essential security infrastructure—which depends heavily on stable electricity—has left our streets vulnerable, making it easier for criminals to operate under the cover of darkness.
“This situation reflects a broader national concern, as similar issues have been reported across Nigeria, where power outages have been linked to growing insecurity and worsening economic conditions,” they held.
The aggrieved youths urged the Delta governor to see the BEDC’s failure to provide reliable electricity as a direct threat to public safety.
“The company’s failure to address technical faults, invest in infrastructure, or respond to our community’s complaints indicates a systemic issue that demands intervention at the highest levels of government,” the letter read.
In response to the demonstrators, the Delta State Governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr Johnson Erijo, told them that Oborevwori was nearing completion of a legislative framework targeted at fixing the state’s power supply difficulties.
“We are already aware of these issues, and we are truly sorry that you are facing them,” he said. “Please know that your governor is also aware and shares in your pain, as you have just expressed,” he said.
