By Ogochukwu Isioma
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has been thrown into total darkness due to a power outage.
For the past few days, the University community has been without electricity supply, thereby paralysing activities in many of the institution’s offices.
METROWATCHXTRA.COM learned that apart from staff’ offices that were mostly affected, the University’s Halls of Residence are also without electricity supply.
Our correspondent who went round the University campus, Ugbowo on Wednesday gathered that only few offices that could afford to put on their independent generators had electricity supply.
However, the administrative building housing the Vice Chancellor’s Office and Office of the Registrar also had electricity supply from the big generator running on diesel.
Some workers who spoke to METROWATCHXTRA.COM on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk said the situation had been worrisome for some time now.
They said only those offices that were connected to the main generator in the Vice Chancellor’s Office (Central Administration) were enjoying electricity supply to work.
Head of a Department in one of the Faculties, said his Department had been operating on a generator, which they put on only whenever they have important work to do or meetings.
“We learnt that there was a technical glitch, hence, the sustained power outage for days now.
“Only units connected to the VC’s office have light because there is a generator that supplies electricity,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the University Management in a statement on Thursday attributed the current power outage to fallen poles from the source of supply outside the campus, noting that the development was not a local problem.
While explaining that the electricity company in charge had been notified accordingly, the University Management said the authorities have assured of expedited action to restore power.
“This is to inform members of the University community that the current electricity power outage is not a local problem but resulting from fallen poles from the source of supply outside the campus.
“The electricity company has been notified accordingly and they have assured of expedited action to restore power,” a statement circulated to staff and students of the University via mail read.
Efforts to obtain comments from Management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) proved abortive. Phone numbers on the official website of the company failed to connect.
This is not the first time the University will be without electricity. UNIBEN was in time past thrown into total darkness after the institution’s power source was disconnected over debts allegedly owed BEDC.
