By METROWATCH Reporter
The Edo State Government House, Benin City; state secretariat complex, hospitals and other government buildings and establishments connected to the Ossisomo Power Plant, Ologbo are currently witnessing a complete darkness, METROWATCHXTRA.COM can authoritatively report.
Checks by this Online Medium on Thursday revealed that some of these structures located within the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Sapele Road and Ring road axis in the Benin City metropolis, are without power supply owing to the alleged disruption in the Plant’s daily operation.
Though it was not immediately clear what could be responsible for the development. However, a government official who craved anonymity, told METROWATCHXTRA.COM that the development was as a result of the alleged disruption of gas supply to the power plant.
“We were told the fault is from Ossisomo, I think they have run out of gas supply which resulted in the disruption of power supply. As we speak, there is no light in my office. I had to visit the (public) cafe to print a document for my principal,” the official told METROWATCHXTRA.COM.
When this METROWATCHXTRA.COM’s Reporter visited the popular “Palm House”, the state ministries’ headquarters, it was observed that the buildings were without power. Similarly, the situation was the same at the government house. It was observed that only a few offices managed to run on diesel-powered generating sets.
As at the time of filing this report, the Ossisomo Power Company was yet to formally react to the development. The Managing Director, Ossisomo Power, Dr. Uwa Igiehon, could not be immediately reached for comment. Also, the functioning Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Electricity, Engr. Victor Osagbouwa Obanor, declined comment.
The CCETC-Ossiomo Independent Power Plant (IPP) which provides 22-24/7 stable power supply to its consumers, is currently a 95MW power generation and distribution company midwifed by a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the Edo State Government and the private power firm.
The power plant located at Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, provides power to over 21 private companies including the Benin Industrial and Enterprise Park, Emotan Garden Estates, Edo Tech Park, the 5500bpd Edo Modular Refinery, John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, Edo Creative Hub, as well as the state’s street lighting project.
Others include the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority, Edo Production Centre, Phil Hallmark Supermarkets, Nigerian Observer Premises, NUJ Secretariat, Benin Club and Golf Course, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Constantial Hotel, Lily Hospitals, the Benin Airport, Westview Hotels, among others.
Governor Godwin Obaseki had announced that the failure of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to ensure steady power supply to Edo people led to the establishment of the Ossisomo power plant to liberate the people from darkness.
The Governor had last year lamented that over $1.9 million was lost within five days due to disruption of gas supply to the Ossiomo Power Plant after someone allegedly switched off the gas station, leaving the plant with no gas to power the system.
“The inability of the plant to supply electricity to the people is causing Nigeria to lose over $1.9million. We are losing revenue and nobody cares about that. Instead, they are just sitting in Abuja doing nothing about it”, Obaseki said.