A hotelier in Delta State has raised alarm over an alleged conspiracy by officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and a top government aide, accusing them of deliberately blocking the connection of his hotel to the national grid despite meeting all official requirements.
Mr. Felix Ukpije, Managing Director of Korax Hotel and Suite, located along Uduere, Agbarha-Otor Road in Ughelli North Local Government Area, has submitted a formal petition to BEDC, alleging foul play in the handling of his hotel’s power connection. Ukpije said his hotel had been certified for commissioning, yet the connection remains stalled, allegedly due to political influence and demands for an unofficial financial settlement.
In the petition addressed to the Managing Director of BEDC through the Chief Technical Officer, Benin Zone, Engr. Kingsley Atseyinku, Ukpije claimed that a fellow hotelier and BEDC customer, Hon. Efe Tobor, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Relations and Managing Director of Jetob Hotel and Suite, insisted he must pay a “huge sum of money” before being allowed to connect his hotel to the grid.
According to Ukpije, the controversy began after Hon. Tobor reportedly donated electric poles and conductors to BEDC. He alleged that Tobor later used this as leverage to prevent his hotel’s connection unless financial demands were met. Ukpije also accused local BEDC staff, including the Ughelli BHTO, of compromising their roles by urging him to “settle” with Hon. Tobor before any progress could be made.
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Ukpije expressed dismay that despite initial intervention by BEDC officials, which led to the disconnection of Jetob Hotel and Suite’s power supply, the electricity was later restored without resolution of the matter. He said the reversal raised serious concerns about the neutrality and integrity of BEDC’s handling of the issue.
Adding to his frustration, Ukpije alleged that the Chief Technical Officer, Engr. Atseyinku, who received the petition, failed to act decisively. He further accused the RHT in Warri and the Ughelli DHTO of siding with Hon. Tobor to frustrate his business operations.
When contacted for BEDC’s response, the Head of Branding and Corporate Communications, Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen, confirmed receipt of the petition. She stated that internal auditors have launched an investigation into the allegations to determine the facts and ensure due process is followed.
Efforts to reach Hon. Efe Tobor for comments were unsuccessful. When contacted by phone, he declined to speak on the matter, stating, “I cannot speak to someone I haven’t seen. Let the person come to my office, or go ahead and publish.
