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ONDO, BEDC, BEOL HOLD STRATEGIC TALKS TO STRENGTHEN POWER SECTOR
The Honourable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Alabi, has held a strategic meeting with Regional Heads of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and Benin Electricity Ondo Limited (BEOL) to discuss key issues aimed at strengthening existing partnerships and improving power sector deliverables across the state.
Speaking while hosting the delegation in his office, Engr. Alabi noted that since the commencement of the O’datiwa Metering Programme last year, remarkable progress has been achieved. However, he acknowledged that the initiative has also faced certain challenges and unforeseen outcomes, hence the need for the strategic engagement.
According to the Commissioner, “The O’datiwa Metering Programme was conceived from the Governor’s determination to assist citizens in overcoming the challenges of meter inaccessibility, estimated billing, and electricity theft across the state.”
Engr. Alabi commended the Governor of Ondo State, H. E. Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for embarking on this critical intervention to assist the citizens as well as the management of BEDC for their cooperation and support in implementing the programme, describing the partnership as largely successful but capable of further improvement. He, however, pointed out some persistent challenges that require urgent attention — including account creation, meter capturing, meter number verification, debt management, irregular names on electricity bills, and the demarketing of O’datiwa meters.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to continuous collaboration with BEDC, the Commissioner expressed optimism that the meeting would help address these critical issues and lead to mutually beneficial outcomes that will sustain and expand the metering programme.
In his response, Ondo State Coordinator of BEOL, Mr. Opeoluwa Afolabi, thanked the Commissioner for acknowledging the company’s efforts and lauded the state government for its support, which he said has significantly improved customer satisfaction.
“We are fully committed to the success of the O’datiwa Metering Programme and have no interest in demarketing the meters. The most pressing concern is the creation of fake accounts, which causes delays in the process. Any staff found guilty of sabotaging the system will be duly sanctioned,” he assured.
Also speaking, Mr. Olamide Atilola, Regional Head of BEOL (Akure), emphasized that proper procedures must be followed to ensure that account creation — which typically takes three to seven days — is not unnecessarily delayed.
Earlier, Acting Managing Director of the Ondo State Power Company (OSPC), Engr. Olumayowa Ajumobi, highlighted the importance of the meeting, noting that direct engagement between the parties was essential for in-depth discussions and effective solutions. He reiterated the state’s commitment to achieving 100% metering coverage across Ondo State.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaching several key resolutions, including:
Only customers with verified accounts will be eligible to pay for O’datiwa meters.
Account opening should be completed within five to seven days, except when requests fall between the 27th of a month and the 4th of the next month.
No disconnection of metered customers should occur unless they were previously under disconnection.
OSPC must ensure that all meter numbers are linked to account numbers before submission to BEDC, which will then reallocate meters within the system.
Installers must report all installations; failure to do so will prevent customers from vending.
Meter importing and uploading should occur within 24 hours, provided installers accurately capture installation data.
Meter replacement must strictly follow BEDC procedures.
According to the Information Officer in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Debbie Funmilayo, other key officials present at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Alhaji Olabode Yusuf; General Manager, OSEB, Engr. Akindolani Ogunmakinwa; representative of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau, Engr. Oluwakemi Ogunrinde; Regional Head, BEDC Ondo, Mr. Remi Faola; and Head of Metering, BEDC Benin, Engr. Orerume Odu, among others.
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