By Perez Brisbe & Ochuko Akuopha

UGHELLI—RESIDENTS of Ughelli metropolis,  Ughelli North Local Government Area,  Delta State, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to revoke the operational licence of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, decrying the high rate of estimated bills being imposed on them by the company.

One of the residents, Mr. Orerome Grandball, who spoke to journalists on the development, described the monthly estimated bills which he said ranged from N21,000 to N30,000 per building, as exploitative.

He said: “A situation where BEDC will refuse to provide prepaid meters to customers but then direct its officials to sit in their offices and write exorbitant  estimated bills for services that are haphazardly rendered is totally unacceptable.

“Nobody understands how they arrive at the figures. BEDC has refused to take responsibility for the provision of electricity poles, repair and maintenance of transformers as customers are forced to contribute money to provide and maintain equipment which the company uses for its business.

“The decision of the Federal Government to privatize the power sector is counter productive as it has ended up creating regional monopoly for power distribution companies. The government should have a rethink and revoke the licence of BEDC and give it to a company that has a human face.”

Another resident, Mr. Richard Benin, lamented:  “People spend huge amount of money to fuel their generating sets due to epileptic power supply. It is sad that the company is demonstrating such insensitivity to the plight of their customers with estimated bills they are forcing on the people.”