Community Demands Accountability As Comrade Leo Esebame Speaks To IBN News
Residents of Eme-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State have renewed calls for accountability over the prolonged electricity crisis in the community, despite the reported spending of more than ₦10 million on electricity infrastructure and restoration efforts.
The community said residents made financial contributions to restore electricity, with funds reportedly used to repair the community transformer, purchase electrical materials, transport equipment and support technical work expected to return stable power supply to the area. Although electricity was eventually restored, residents said the supply lasted for less than one year before the community was thrown back into darkness.
The development has continued to generate concern among residents, many of whom believe the community deserves a full explanation of how the money was spent and why the project failed to deliver lasting results.
Speaking exclusively to IBN News, Comrade Leo Esebame disclosed that he met with the Edo State Commissioner for Power and Energy, Barr. Paul E. Usenbo, to seek government intervention over the matter.
According to Comrade Esebame, the Commissioner advised that the community should immediately write an official petition to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), while copying the Edo State Ministry of Power. He said the letter should be supported with all available evidence, including receipts, bank payment alerts, invoices, photographs of materials purchased, details of work carried out and the identities of persons involved in the electricity project.
He explained that the documents would enable the Ministry of Power and other relevant regulatory authorities, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to properly investigate the matter and determine whether there were any irregularities in the handling of the community’s electricity project.
Comrade Esebame also appealed to members of the former Eme-Ora Electricity Committee to make available every document relating to the project. According to him, transparency is necessary if the community is to recover from years of power failure and prevent similar situations in the future.
Residents insist that after contributing millions of naira, they deserve reliable electricity and a clear account of how their money was utilised. Many say communities should not continue spending huge sums on electricity projects without enjoying stable power supply.
The concerns have become more significant following recent public complaints in other Edo communities over electricity-related issues, with many residents calling for stronger oversight, greater transparency and improved service delivery across the state.
As of the time of filing this report, BEDC has not issued any official response to the concerns raised by the Eme-Ora community regarding the reported expenditure and the current state of electricity supply. Likewise, no allegation has been established against any individual or organisation.
IBN News understands that community leaders are expected to compile all available documents before forwarding their petition to the relevant authorities for investigation.
IBN News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more facts emerge.
