Yemisi Izuora
Benin Electricity Distribution plc. (BEDC) in its efforts to improve customer service has announced the successful completion and commissioning of a new 2X15MVA 33/11Kv Injection sub-station, Asaba mains at Ibusa in Delta state.
The sub-station, which was commissioned by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, came just as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) disclosed that Benin Disco was ranked as best performing Distribution Company, in third quarter, 2017.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Managing Director, BEDC, Mrs Funke Osibodu, in a statement, said progress has been recorded through improved power supply to Asaba and neighboring communities including Ibusa and Ogwashi –Uku, which have been recently energised to the national grid.
She said that the commissioning of the Asaba sub-station was a major breakthrough that will improve power supply to industries, industrial clusters and commercial areas (through the construction of dedicated line to guarantee more hours of power supply) as well as residential communities.
The BEDC boss said customers in Okwe, Akuebulu, Jarret Ogbeofu, Osadebe way, Okwe Housing Estate, Oduke, New Jerusalem, Malbovil, Paul Owumi, Osalabon, Alunazunwan and its environs will benefit from these projects, adding that another sub-station at Ibusa is almost completed and ready for commissioning soon.
In his remarks, Fashola said that the present administration is committed to improving power generation and distribution in the country, explaining that a lot of efforts were being put in to that effect.
He lauded the Delta State Government for partnering with BEDC to ensure sustainable power in the state. The minister noted that the progress made in power generation in the country was due to peace recorded in the Niger Delta, stressing that for the first time both Hydro and gas worked without interruption hence the improvement in power generally across the country.
Present at the occasion was the representative of the Governor, Barr. Newworld Safugha, Delta State Commisioner for Energy, Minister of State for Power, Hon. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, MD/ CEO National Integrated Power Project, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, Board and Executive Management of BEDC, traditional rulers and some key customers in Asaba.
Meanwhile, BEDC played host at the 21st power stakeholders meeting held at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) 330/132kv substation, Asaba, Delta state.
In her opening remarks, she lauded the planned creation of a Special Anti –Electricity Vandalism squad by the Inspector General of police to protect electricity assets and reduce vandalism and theft, thereby improving service delivery in the sector.
The Minister noted the progress towards incremental power in the country, with the performance improvements in Transmission Company of Nigeria, including the completion of transmission capacity expansion in Zaria and Funtua to improve transmission capacity in the country. He also announced the installation of 40MVA mobile transformers in Auchi to be completed soon and an agreement with Delta State government, Agip Okpai and communities to install a 330/132Kv substation at Kwale.
In a related development, Olorunsogo 1 plant emerged the best performing Gas Generating Company, while Jebba was elected the best performing Hydro GenCo, according to NERC.
BEDC Assures Better Performance …Commissions Asaba Mains Sub-station
