Delta, Ekiti, Edo, Ondo Seek Shareholder’s Rights in Benin Disco

Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti state governments have informed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of their intention to exercise shareholder’s rights in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

The state governments noted that the decision is to ensure the efficient supply of electricity to citizens.

This, according to Premium Times, was disclosed in a letter dated March 18, 2024, and addressed to the Executive Chairman of NERC, Sanusi Garba.

The letter was jointly signed by the Commissioner for Energy in Delta State, Jerry Ehiwairor; the Commissioner for Mining and Energy in Edo State, Enaholo Ojeifoh; the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities in Ekiti State, Mobolaji Aluko; and the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in Ondo State, Razaq Obe.

The officials signed the letter on behalf of the state governments.

A copy of the letter titled: ‘Notification of intent to exercise shareholder rights in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC),’ was also sent to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Chairman, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Shamsuddeen Usman; Director General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Chairman, Senate Committee on Power; and Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Power.

“We write to formally inform the NERC (the Commission) of the intent of the governments of Delta State, Edo State, Ekiti State, and Ondo State (the BEDC State Governments) regarding our collective residual equity in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

“After a thorough evaluation of the operational deficiencies and service delivery failures to our states, the BEDC state governments intend to exercise our shareholder rights in BEDC, to ensure the efficient provision of electricity services to our citizens,” the letter reads in part.