Niger Delta
EDHA Summons BEDC Over Poor Power Supply

The Edo State House of Assembly has summoned the Managing Directors of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and Tansmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), over incessant power outages in the State.
The summon was sequel to a matter of urgent public importance by Mr Kaycee Osamwonyi, (PDP-Uhunwode) at plenary in Benin.
Presenting the motion, Osamwonyi, said that BEDC had been incompetent in discharging its duties.
“The current epileptic power supply in the State has crippled economic activities thereby creating untold hardship on business owners.
“In some communities, politicians and individuals have been made to provide transformers for their people and the consumers in turn pay for huge bills for electricity not supplied.
“Others complain about excessive estimated billing and this ugly incident affects businesses and throws the State into total darkness that promotes criminality,” he said.
He frowned at the method of centralisation of prepaid meters by BEDC whereby some consumers in some communities were compelled to pay certain amount of money into designated community account.
Osamwonyi stated that it was a common practice deployed by BEDC to exploit consumers for services not rendered, adding that, prepaid meters were no longer distributed to consumers.
Osamwonyi urged the house to summon officials of BEDC and to explain why they were not being proactive and alive to their responsibilities.
Other lawmakers supported the motion with a call on the state government to take advantage of the liberalisation of the power sector to engage in independent power generation.
The lawmakers said BEDC lacked the expertise and competence to provide electricity for the State, saying that it had become imperative for the Federal Government to review the operating licences of the company.
The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku after extensive deliberations, asked the Clerk to summon the management of both BEDC and TCN to appear before the House on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
Niger Delta
NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.
She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.
Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.
According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.
“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.
She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.
“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.
“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.
Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.
The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.
She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.
“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.
The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.
Niger Delta
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Niger Delta
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