Edo State’s First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has launched an innovative initiative to provide affordable electricity meters to 500,000 households across the state’s local government areas.
This initiative aims to eradicate estimated billings, promote energy efficiency, and empower Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).
During the flag-off ceremony held in Benin City, Mrs. Obaseki articulated the vision behind this initiative. She emphasized that the distribution of prepaid meters is not merely a logistical task but a heartfelt response to the ongoing struggles of residents who have faced the burden of inflated estimated billing. “This initiative was geared to make electricity meters affordable for residents, eliminate estimated billings and boost small and medium scale businesses,” she remarked, highlighting the project’s dual focus on accessibility and economic empowerment.
Betsy Obaseki further underscored the government’s commitment to improving the lives of the people, acknowledging the essential role that reliable power supply plays in both personal and business growth.
The collaboration with Benin Electricity Distribution Company (Benin Disco) and other stakeholders has been instrumental in the success of this program, as Mrs. Obaseki lauded their efforts at the ceremony. She called for robust community engagement to ensure that residents are fully informed about the registration process, stating the importance of awareness campaigns to maximize participation in the program.
Accompanying her at the event was Hon. Enaholo Ojiefo, the State Commissioner for Mining, Energy, Oil and Gas, who delineated the broader objectives of the government’s energy strategy.
He indicated that this initiative is a key component of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, which is pushing towards achieving a 24-hour power supply throughout the state. “Residents who apply and make payment through the dedicated portal would be connected within two weeks,” he said, reassuring the public of the efficiency and transparency of the distribution processes.
Hon. Ojiefo elaborated on the transparent nature of the project, emphasizing that a dedicated committee, including local government chairpersons, will oversee the implementation. He assured constituents that registration centers will be established across all 18 local government councils, making the application process easily accessible to every resident.
The commissioner praised the Ossiomo Power Plant and the new electricity law, which have significantly reduced the state’s reliance on diesel. “Edo would have spent 30 percent of its budget on diesel if not for Governor Obaseki’s electricity project through Ossiomo,” he noted.
In addition to the prepaid meter initiative, the Edo State Government has set ambitious plans to harness solar energy for vital infrastructure such as places of worship, hospitals, hotels, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The commissioner announced, “We will build solar power facilities for them, so they can pay after four years,” which speaks to a forward-thinking approach towards sustainable development and energy independence.
