Oil & Energy
Border Communities Protest 16 Years Outage
Six-month blackout could
be frustrating for any community in Nigeria. One-year black could be outrageous. But what would you say of blackout in Nigerian Community for sixteen years?
This is the reality with Aivoji, Ogblogbo, Gbethrome, Asakpo, Boglo, Fanuvi, Yard, Bapo and their other neighbouring communities located near Seme border.
The Tide gathered that these communities had electricity before but it went off and for over 16 years, they have never seen any flicker of light, a situation that frustrates the socio-economic existence of people in the area.
A former student union President of the Lagos State University, Comrade Badaru Abdul-Basit, led thousands of frustrated residents of the communities on a protest to draw the attention of government to their plight recently.
Abdul-Basit said as a son of the soil the situation is shameful and appealed for urgent attention to end the long suffering of the people.
He said, “the people cannot start up small scale businesses, they cannot even connect with the outside world. Our leaders have played politics with our lives and future.”
“We are people of great prospects; but most of us have taken to smuggling because we cannot start up viable businesses. We would want the government to come to our rescue and help us,” he stated.
Comrade Abdul-Basit revealed that even the ongoing election in the country does not mean anything to his people. “We have instituted a slogan among ourselves here which says, ‘No Electricity, no election,” no light, no voting.” All we simply want is that they provide for our social welfare-electricity, water, good schools, and hospitals.”
Prince Charles one of the residents regretted that severally, they have made attempt to get the attention of the government to their plight but to no avail.
“We import everything that we use here including pure water, ice blocks, cold drinks. A bottle of coke here costs about N100, multina N170.00,” said Mr Timothy Oyetayo, a trader in the community.
However some group of women protestants said the government have treated them like lesser beings. They say even a litre of fuel that cost 87.00 per litre in other parts of the country costs N100 – N120 at Seme border communities because most of the stations depend on generators to run their businesses.
As part of the restructuring, the company said it had promoted high-performing employees, released retiring staff, and disengaged others whose performance fell below expected standards.
It added that it has also begun implementing a comprehensive employee development and customer management plan to strengthen its service delivery framework.
“In line with its corporate transformation strategy, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has announced a restructuring exercise aimed at delivering improved services to its customers as well as enhanced operational efficiency and excellence.
“The restructuring is in line with our strategic direction to become a more responsive and efficient organisation, capable of delivering world-class service to our customers.
“As part of the transformation, the Company has promoted high-performing staff, released retiring employees and those performing below par, and has put in motion the implementation of a robust employee development and customer management plan aimed at driving AEDC’s customer-centric focus,” the company said.
AEDC noted that the reforms are part of its broader commitment to provide reliable, safe, and sustainable electricity to customers across its franchise areas, including the Federal Capital Territory and the states of Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa.
The firm further pledged to continue investing in infrastructure upgrades, digital technologies, and operational innovations to improve service reliability and customer satisfaction.
“With a strong commitment to delighting its customers, AEDC continues to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria’s energy sector through investments in infrastructure, innovative technologies, and sustainable practices.
“AEDC consistently seeks to improve the quality of life for its customers, promote efficient energy usage, and actively engage with its communities,” the statement added.
Nwoko who is also the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, said that forensic reviews show over S22b, S81b and S200b remained unaccounted for across different audit periods.
“I remain committed, alongside my colleagues, to ensuring accountability, recovery, and reform within the oil and gas sector.
Nwoko stated that the Committee had earlier presented its interim report before the senate saying “Our investigation has so far uncovered massive revenue losses amounting to over $300 billion in unaccounted crude oil proceeds over the years.
“This represents one of the most troubling cases of economic sabotage our nation has ever faced.
“We have made far-reaching recommendations to end this long-standing menace.
“There is need for strict enforcement of international crude oil measurement standards at all production and export points.
He urged the federal government to mandate the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to deploy modern, tamper-proof measuring technology or return this function to the Department of Weights and Measures under the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
The senator called for the deployment of advanced surveillance systems, including drones, to assist security agencies in combating oil theft.
He also called for the creation of a Special Court for Crude Oil Theft to ensure swift prosecution of offenders and their collaborators, saying it would also go a long way in tackling the challenge.
“We must also ensure the full implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust Fund under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to empower local communities and reduce sabotage.
“Ceding abandoned oil wells to the NUPRC for allocation to modular refineries to support local production and job creation is also very vital in fighting the menace of oil theft and sabotage,” Nwoko further said.