By Eben Enasco Kingsley, Benin City
Uhen ward comprising Ogbuwe , Utese, Egbeta, Ogbetse, Olumoye, Edienzegbughe, Okodu and Aghanokpe Communities in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State have issued out red card to all governorship aspirants saying they should not step their feet on their communities until light is restored to the communities.
The warning came following a protest to BEDC Headquarters and the Government House in Benin City, over non availability of power supply within the ambience of the localities
The Youth Leader, Emmanuel Ogefia said that for over five years, the people of the communities have been in total blackout for reason they could not decipher and at various times so many complaints have been made to the government, House of Assembly and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company and nothing has been done to restore light to the affected communities.
Ogefia further disclosed that the most laughable part of it is that, during political campaigns the communities would always welcome various aspirants from different political parties all with the promises of restoring light to them but to their greatest dismay, when elections are over, they are nowhere to be found adding, “this is how it has been all the years.
Ogefia hinted that having been tired of several unfulfilled promises, they have resolved to issue out red card to various aspirants warning them to stare clear the aforementioned communities with their campaigns and their numerous unfulfilled promises as they are not longer interested hence the warning cuts across party affiliations.
“We are tired of staying in darkness and that is why we are crying out to governor for assistant so that we will be out of darkness. If not, no light, no vote. We will not even allow any political parties to bring their campaign train to our communities and if they do, it means they have brought problem to us.
“That is just the matter. They should give us light so that there can be peace between the aspirants and the people of our communities because they are the ones deceiving us”, he stressed.
On the part of Friday Okhuasehe, he said they are appealing to the state government and the House of Assembly to come to their rescue and make life comfortable for them as they can no longer listen to news, carry out work that needs to be empowered by electricity due to the absence of light in the communities.
Responding for the State Government, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Hon. Ken Ihensekhen said that he shares in their plight stressing that their demand would be brought before the Governor who is out for other official engagement.
He further urged them to go about their protest in a peaceful manner and shun all that can lead to breach of public peace.
In similar tune, the BEDC gaffer, Engineer Fidelis Obishai pleaded with the affected communities while asserting that the team is doing everything within its power to restore light in the affected areas and others who are yet to come with its complaints
