Delta Community Blames BEDC for Burnt Transformer, Demands Replacement

By Magnus Emuji

Ogbeozoma Quarter of Okpanam Community, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has appealed to Government of Delta State to prevail on the officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to replace their burnt transformer.

The community said the transformer got burnt due to the unwholesome activities and share incompetence of some staff of the company carrying out maintenance work, through wrong connections on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 with a-33KVA transformer to enable the people of the area access electricity delivery and supply within two weeks.

The transformer which was serving the community was said to have been burnt down on Thursday, June 4 after some officials of BECD carried out some repairs around the transformer station at about 6.00 pm the previous day before the unfortunate incident occurred.

Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of Ogbeozoma Youths, Comrade Smart Ifesindi blamed the official of BECD for the wrong connections when they effected repairs on the transformer few hours before light came, adding that they would be held responsible for the incident.

Comrade Ifesindi described the action of those that effected repairs on the transformer as absolute wickedness, display of incompetence and mediocrity in the discharge of their duties, just as he advised the General Manager of the company in the state to expedite action in order to forestall the existing cordial relationship between them.

While also calling on the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa led administration to assist the community to get a new transformer, Comrade Ifesindi lamented the continued extortion from BEDC in the area through outrageous bills particularly for services not provided.

Narrating further, Comrade Ifesindi noted that the ugly incident would adversely affect socio-economic activities in the area especially in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, saying that if not for the timely intervention of the people, a building would have equally been burnt down as a result of the raging fire from the burning transformer even as he promised to lead a delegation to BEDC office as soon as possible.

Comrade Logede Eze accused BEDC of not adhering to its obligation and called for the sack of those that carried out the ill-fated repairs on the transformer while also advocating for consistent training of their staff in order for them to be abreast with modern trends in their operations.