Okene Residents Cry Out Over Epileptic Power Supply and Outrageous Billing; Seek Governor Ododo’s Intervention

Okene Residents Cry Out Over Epileptic Power Supply and Outrageous Billing; Seek Governor Ododo’s Intervention

Residents of Okene Local Government Area have raised an alarm over the deteriorating state of electricity supply in the community, coupled with what they describe as "extortionate" monthly bills from the Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited (KEDL). 

The community, which serves as the political and economic heart of Kogi Central, has reportedly been plunged into prolonged periods of darkness, with many areas receiving less than three hours of power daily. Despite the lack of supply, residents claim that estimated bills have skyrocketed, leaving many households and small businesses on the brink of collapse.

According to the information gathered by Okene news hub, the various youth and community leaders in Okene expressed their frustration, noting that the "crazy billing" system persists despite the federal government’s directives on capping estimated bills for unmetered customers.

Artisans, including welders, tailors, and cold-room operators, report that the lack of power has forced them to rely on expensive alternative energy sources, eating away at their meager profits.

Residents allege that even during months of total blackout due to transformer faults or grid collapses, the KEDL continues to issue high "arrears," leading to community-wide tensions. 

We are being asked to pay for shadows. How can a household that hasn't seen light for weeks receive a bill of ₦15,000 or more?" questioned a local community leader. "It is not just unfair; it is an act of economic sabotage against the people of Okene and Kogi central at large."

In a desperate move, the residents are calling on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to intervene. While the state government recently flagged off the distribution of 30 units of 500kVA transformers across the three senatorial districts to improve infrastructure, Okene residents argue that the issue is not just about hardware but also about the management and billing ethics of the distribution company. The residents also plea for replacement of aging feeders and cables that frequently trigger local outages.