By Joel Grandball & Omamuzo Efidhere
THERE was pandemonium in Ughelli community as two high tension poles with 11KVA belonging to Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, collapses along Isoko road in Otovwodo.
This is just the Business Manager, Ughelli Business District of the company, Mr Bethel Ebiuwhe and the Ughelli North Council chairman, Godwin Adode have warned traders under electricity lines to urgently vacate such areas in other to avoid being eletrocuted.
Briefing newsmen after holding meeting with the Traditional ruler of Ughelli kingdom, HRM Wilson Oharisi III, and the Chairman, Ughelli North Local Government Council, Hon. Godwin Adode, Ebiuwhe said, “One of its 11KVA line along Isoko road suddenly cut off by the ever busy Otovwodo Market while supply was on.
“We are appealing to traders under the lines to evacuate because if anything should happen the company will not pay compensation to anyone who fall victim of any unforeseen danger.
He said, “we have discussed with the Ovie and he has promised to call the leaders of the market women to inform them to move away from the lines. We thank God that there was no life lost when the wire cut off yesterday but we might not be lucky next time. We have complained to the LGA Chairmam and the King about people doing business under BEDC lines, this is because we will not be held responsible if anything happens.
“I want to also use this medium to appeal to our customers to always pay their electricity bills through the banks or directly in our offices and not to give money to anyone whether staff of the company. This is because people are claiming they pay bills but at the end such bills does not get to us. We are buying the energy we supply and we need this monies so that we can be able to buy more.”
Ebiuwhe further appealed to residents of Ughelli metropolis who have been thrown into darkness for about a week now to be patient with the company, adding that BEDC engineers are already working on the problem and will restore supply before 24 hours.
Earlier, the Chairman Ughelli North Local Government Council, Mr. Godwin Adode while inspecting the affected area where the cable fell promised to evacuate those trading under the lines.
