BY PRINCE EJAKPOMEVI
DELTANS have voiced growing frustration over what they describe as an unfair distribution of electricity, with some alleging that power supply intended for residential use is being diverted to hotels and other commercial establishments. The development has triggered public outcry, with many residents lamenting prolonged blackouts in their communities, while some hospitality businesses appear to enjoy relatively stable electricity.
Speaking with The Pointer, a trader in Okpanam, Mrs Charity Oghenekevwe decried the erratic power situation, revealing that her residence has endured over three weeks of inadequate supply. “We barely get 10 minutes of electricity, sometimes around midnight, and most times we get nothing at all. Yet when you pass some hotels, they seem to have steady power. Though we keep hearing these hotels are connected to the 33 line. If that is truly the case, then it is unfair to us,” she said.
A civil servant, Mr Jude Keseina, also expressed concern over the worsening situation. While noting that he could not conclusively confirm claims of preferential treatment, he stressed the need for improved electricity provision.
“I can’t say for certain that hotels and other establishments are being favoured over residents, but the government must ensure adequate power supply. The situation in Okpanam is becoming alarming,” he stated. However, some stakeholders offered a different perspective. A hotel manager, identified as Mr Kingsley Obaro, explained that many hotels depend largely on alternative power sources.
“Most hotels rely heavily on generators and inverters. It is expensive, but we cannot leave guests in the dark. There is no special treatment that I know of, so it would be wrong to assume the power company is favouring hotels,” he said.
An electrician, Mr John Bosco, attributed the disparity to technical factors such as feeder configurations and load allocation from the national grid.
“Power supply depends on feeder arrangements and the available load from the national grid. Commercial and residential areas may be connected to separate feeders. There is no known policy that prioritises hotels over residents,” he explained.
Adding her voice, another civil servant, Mrs Innone Charity, warned that the electricity crisis extends beyond household inconvenience, affecting critical sectors of development.
“Electricity is the backbone of healthcare and economic productivity. When hospitals struggle to operate essential equipment, the impact on citizens is severe.
‘’The government must urgently invest in infrastructure upgrades and enforce accountability among service providers. Without stable power, meaningful development will remain out of reach,” she said.
As dissatisfaction continues to mount, residents are urging the Delta State Government and relevant regulatory authorities, including the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), to address the perceived imbalance and restore public confidence in the power distribution system.
