Parts of Ejukolemu Layout, popularly known as Water Resources in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State have been deliberately thrown into darkness by officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, Effurun District Office owing to an alleged assault of one of their staff.
A resident in the area who craved anonymity told NewsNet Nigeria that a young man in the layout allegedly slapped a BEDC official which led to the immediate disconnection of power to the entire area.
While condemning the alleged action of the young man, some persons in the locality criticised the BEDC for punishing law-abiding citizens who have no idea of what transpired between the company official and the accused.
They opined that it was illogical for loyal and responsible users of the service of BEDC to suffer the consequences of an unknown person’s action.
According to them, several power lines make up the connection in the neighbourhood and wondered why the particular line leading to the residence where the purported offence occurred was not removed or isolated instead of disconnecting the entire area.
The angry residents called on the Effurun District Office of the BEDC to immediately reconnect their power supply or they will seek redress in a court of law.
When contacted, the spokesperson of Effurun District Office of the BEDC, Mrs Helen Ogagarue told NewsNet Nigeria that it is the price residents of the area will have to pay collectively since the person who assaulted the BEDC official live in the area.
Ogagarue said, “I am aware of it. Until they come and write undertaking before they will connect them back”.
When asked if that is the practice by BEDC she said, “That is the law. If our worker goes to any place and they assault the person in that area it means the area is not conducive for them to work. So, they will now withdraw services until they come and write an undertaking that they will allow them to work or they will not assault them”.
