By Seun Ibiyemi
The management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc has expressed concern over the sharp decline in electricity generation from Nigeria’s national grid, saying the development is negatively affecting its operations, customer satisfaction and revenue collection.
The Chief Commercial Officer of the company, Mr. Ogunleye Akinleye, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Friday.
Akinleye said the drop in power generation to about 3,940 megawatts had significantly reduced electricity supply across the country, including areas covered by BEDC.
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According to him, the situation has had a direct impact on the company’s revenue generation.
“The drop in national grid generation to about 3,940 megawatts has significantly affected electricity distribution across the country, including our franchise areas,” he said.
He explained that the inadequate power supply had reduced customers’ willingness to pay for electricity, particularly among post-paid consumers.
“When customers do not receive adequate power supply, their payment appetite declines, and this has a direct negative impact on post-paid collections,” Akinleye said.
The BEDC official added that the decline in electricity supply had also affected prepaid customers, leading to reduced energy purchases.
“Similarly, the low energy supply has reduced the vending of prepaid customers, resulting in poor revenue collection by the company,” he said.
Akinleye noted that the drop in revenue had affected the company’s ability to meet its market obligations within the Nigerian electricity supply chain.
“The poor revenue collection has affected our ability to meet our market obligations, which ultimately impacts our access to full operational expenditure,” he stated.
He described the persistent decline in power generation as a major challenge confronting the power sector.
The BEDC official appealed to customers in the company’s franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti to remain patient and continue to support the firm.
He also assured customers that the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the electricity sector were working to address the challenges affecting power generation and distribution in the country.
