Ekiti inaugurates Electricity Regulatory Act , ’Vandals risk jail’

Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated
Electricity Regulatory Act to tackle theft and wishful vandalism of
electricity equipment and installations.

He assured residents that the incessant conflict between Benin
Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and electricity consumers
would soon be resolved.

The Act 2015 stipulated that vandals and theft of electricity
equipment now risk two years’ jail term or pay a fine of N10
million fines.

The Act also mandated the establishment of electricity
committees in the communities to monitor suspicious activities on
any electricity installation or equipment and report to
distribution companies (DISCOS).

Inaugurating the act at a function attended by stakeholders in
Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Fayemi, who was represented by the Secretary
to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, stated that the Act
was enacted to protect both the suppliers and consumers of
electricity.

“This regulation was made to protect suppliers and users of
electricity. If you tamper with your meters or do anything untoward
to the transformers, you are liable to be sanctioned.

“The electricity company, Benin Electricity Distribution
Companies (BEDC), should not default in electricity supply, because
such also carried penalty.”

BEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Funke
Osibodu noted that distribution companies lose about N30 billion
daily due to activities of vandals and thefts.

She hailed the government for enacting the law, saying it would
help to curb the menace of theft and boost power supply in
Ekiti.

This, he said, would have a multiplier effects on the state
economy and attract investors to cite industries in the state.

Osibodu, who was represented by an official of the company,
Lucky Ayomoto, added that BEDC, which controls light distribution
in Ekiti, Ondo, Delta and Edo states, have taken giant strides in
ensuring that the economies of those states were given impetus
through improved electricity supplies since assumption.

“Ekiti state Electricity Regulation Act 2015, therefore, seeks
to curb and deter illegal and unauthorised use of regulated
electricity supply as well as to protect electricity
infrastructure.