Tensions flared in the Delta State capital on Thursday as hundreds of aggrieved youths and stakeholders from the Okpanam community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state staged a peaceful protest to the Delta State Government House in Asaba over prolonged power outage and alleged exploitation by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The protesters bore several placards with inscriptions such as “BEDC, stop ridiculing us we pay bills, give us light!”, “We say no to BEDC supply plan to Okpanam!”, “Stop the exploitation, BEDC to Okpanam!”, and “We are capital Territory but live as slaves, please help us”, pointing to the frustration, desperation, and sense of abandonment felt by the residents who say they have been left in darkness for far too long.
Speaking on behalf of the organizers of the protest, Okpanam Youth Organization, the community Youth President General, Comrade Lucky Okolo, blamed the continuous rise in criminality and insecurity in the area on the poor power supply.
Okolo who read out a formal letter of grievance addressed to the Delta State Government, through the Ministry of Power and Energy and signed by various youth leaders and community representatives, accused BEDC of deliberately withholding electricity supply, issuing outrageous estimated bills, and failing to invest in necessary infrastructure for the Okpanam community.
The community demanded an immediate investigation into BEDC’s conduct in Okpanam; restoration of reliable power supply within seven days; transparent billing and widespread deployment of prepaid meters; formation of a joint oversight task force; and installation of adequate transformers.
Addressing the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor, Hon. Johnson Erijo, expressed appreciation for the peaceful nature of the protest and assuring the group that their concerns had been received and were being taken seriously by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
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“We appreciate you coming forward peacefully to raise these concerns,” Hon. Erijo said. “From your placards and your letter, it’s clear that you are not just angry—you are informed, organized, and determined. And this government shares in your pain.”
He acknowledged that the blackout had created serious security risks, including increased criminal activity, and confirmed that the lack of street lighting was contributing to a surge in kidnapping and violence across Okpanam. He also praised the community for offering to partner with the government in tackling insecurity.
The Chief of Staff noted that Delta State is on the verge of finalizing a legislative framework to enable energy sector reform, taking advantage of the recent liberalization of the power sector under President Bola Tinubu. He added that once implemented, the new framework would attract independent investors and end the monopoly of inefficient distribution companies.
“Even here in Government House, we face the same issues—you’re not alone. But your Governor is proactive. We’re almost at the final stage of enabling a framework that will allow for sustainable and accountable energy solutions across the state.”
Erijo assured the crowd that the Ministry of Energy had been directed to take the lead on providing immediate relief, while longer-term structural changes were in motion.
“Your message is clear, and the government will act. We won’t leave Okpanam behind,” stated.
