BENIN CITY- Consumers Protection Council of Nigeria, (CPC), held a Roundtable Town Hall Meeting with the officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, (BEDC) and its consumers on ways to finding lasting solution to the problem affecting power distribution in the area.
In his address, the Director-General of the CPC, Mr. Babatunde Irukora said power supply in Nigeria has been a problem as costumers often complained about estimated bills for services not rendered for by the electricity distribution companies.
He added that there was need to create synergy between electricity service providers and the consumers hence, the town hall meetings across the country.
Babatunde said that the body is obliged to hearing complains from consumers and proffer solution to then through dialogue with stakeholders, stressing that consumers are expected to get value for their money.
He asserted that electricity is one of the most perishable materials on earth which according to him is absolutely useless if not consumed.
The Director General noted that electricity distribution companies are not solely responsible for the problem of poor power supply in the country and attributed part of the problem to the power value change.
While advising BEDC to improve on its service delivery, the consumers protection council Boss, however disclosed that the problem between service providers and consumers was not limited to BEDC alone, but a national issue.
During the meeting, there were questions and answers session where consumers held their views and grey areas were addressed by concerned authorities.
There was a mild drama as the meeting however turned rowdy when an official of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company attempted to debunk the allegation that the BEDC circulate estimated bills for services not rendered.
It took the intervention of the Director General of the Consumers Protection Council of Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde to calm the situation.
Shortly after the Town Hall Meeting, the BEDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mrs. Funke Oshinbudu, represented by the Executive Director Commercials, BEDC, Dr. Abu Ismail Ejoor promised consumers of efficient service delivery.
“We have listened to the customers and we have heard their complaints, we will take them back home and see how best we can resolve them “with what is available to us, we will see what we can do to improve our customers services delivery as soon as possible,” he said.
Speaking with cross section of the customers, the people commended the CPC for the meeting and urged that issues raised should be addressed promptly by the BEDC.
