Akure residents protest poor power supply, accuse BEDC of deception

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Residents of Judges Estate in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State, on Monday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over what they described as worsening electricity supply to their community.

The protesters, who blocked the company’s gate, accused BEDC of cutting them off from the Alagbaka power line—where they previously enjoyed an average of 16 hours of electricity daily—and diverting them to the Oda line.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Chairman of the Landlords Association, Prince Ade Adegboro, alleged that BEDC officials had misled them with false promises.

“At Alagbaka, we enjoyed a minimum of 16 hours of electricity daily. Since BEDC moved us to the Oda line, we have been in total darkness while neighbouring estates remain on stable supply. Their promise of 24 hours of light has turned into permanent darkness,” Adegboro lamented.

He explained that several letters of complaint had been forwarded to BEDC offices in Benin and Lagos, but the company had failed to respond.

During the protest, officials at the Akure office reportedly declined to address the aggrieved residents or speak with journalists, instead directing them to submit fresh written complaints.