The federal lawmaker expressed dissatisfaction over the deplorable condition of old electrical equipment which was not changed nor repaired across his senatorial district by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company.
Speaking during his inspection of the Erinje Power Transmission Station in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state, the senator said the power companies had not performed to the expectations of Nigerians.
He said, “We have about 13 DisCos in Nigeria; they have all failed Nigerians. They are not functioning as expected. They are just using old equipment that they inherited to work and tap money.
“For instance, BEDC has been there for many years, they should have repaired all the damaged poles and other things in the communities in my senatorial district, because without those things in good condition, the efforts of this project will not be felt.
“What they do is tell communities to pay money before they can do the repair and that is wrong. So, I see them as irresponsible bodies.”
He promised to move a motion on the floor of the senate after the Easter holiday that the government should enforce the BEDC to repair all the damaged equipment in the district within 60 days so that the power station could function.
He said, “When the power station starts functioning, they (the BEDC) will be held down if damaged poles and others are not repaired,” Tofowomo stated.
He however expressed delight over the level of work done in the transmission station, promising to keep playing his constitutional roles to his constituents till his tenure expired.
The lawmaker tasked all the stakeholders to rise up and ensure that the power project functioned and provided electricity for the people of the southern part of the state, who have been without power for over 10 years, adding that he would not relent until the aim of the project was achieved.
