Asaba Community Demands Accountability Amidst Fresh Levies for Power Restoration

Residents of Fear God Street, Bonsaac, Asaba, Delta State, are pointing fingers at the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and their local electricity committee, alleging neglect and a prolonged power outage. The community members claim to have collectively contributed millions of naira over time for the repair and replacement of electricity transformers in their vicinity. Despite these significant financial efforts, they remain without electricity, months after the most recent repair attempt. Further adding to their grievances, residents report being asked to make new contributions for the acquisition of a 750KVA transformer.

However, Mr. Michael Morah, the chairman of the Bonsaac 1 Transformer Committee, refuted these claims in a telephone interview on Monday. He denied any personal collection or diversion of funds from residents, stating unequivocally that all contributions for the new transformer are channeled directly into the community's designated bank account. Morah explained that the transformer ultimately failed on July 25, following several unsuccessful repair efforts. He added that the community had sought assistance from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other relevant bodies, but received no response, which then led the residents to collectively decide on raising funds for a replacement. "I disagree. I’m not extorting money from anybody. Nobody is paying money to me. Where they are paying money is to the community account," Morah stated.

He further clarified that while the community previously had an inactive account, it was subsequently reactivated specifically to receive contributions for the new transformer. Morah also challenged allegations that residents were levied N4.8 million and N5.3 million for two separate repair operations. "We didn’t levy anybody to pay. We levied those who have connected light and have not paid. In the meeting, it was decided that they should go to those people and collect money and use it to repair their transformer," he explained. He dared anyone claiming to have made personal payments to him for repairs to come forward with proof.

Amid escalating complaints concerning the handling of funds and the leadership of the transformer committee, the community established a panel to investigate the allegations against Morah. Mr. Okolo Gred, who chairs this investigative committee, confirmed in a Monday phone interview that the panel's report is complete. Nevertheless, he noted that the report has not been formally discussed by the community because Morah has yet to convene a meeting for its deliberation.

Gred revealed that some residents are also pushing for Morah to step down, citing his alleged tenure as chairman of the transformer committee for over a decade. "The committee came up with their report, but the chairman, which is Michael Morah, has not been able to call for a meeting. If he had called for a meeting, that report would have been deliberated and maybe adopted," Gred reiterated.

He emphasized that the committee's primary objective is not necessarily to compel Morah to account for every single allegation, but rather to facilitate the election of new community leaders. "Personally, and some members of the community, what we are interested in is not necessarily to programme to make him to permit what he has eaten, but for him to step down so that another set of people would be elected," Gred explained.

According to Gred, residents have persistently called for Morah's removal and fresh elections, but the process remains stalled due to the absence of a meeting to review the committee's findings. He also mentioned other grievances related to the committee's operations, including claims concerning payments made by individuals seeking electricity connections. Despite these issues, Gred acknowledged that the immediate priority for residents remains the restoration of electricity following the most recent transformer failure.

This ongoing controversy unfolds as residents embark on yet another round of fundraising to procure a new transformer. A circulated message among community members outlined the plan to acquire a new 750KVA transformer, with varying contribution rates set for property owners and businesses.

Based on the contribution schedule, duplex owners are expected to pay N50,000, flats N25,000, while shops and self-contained apartments are to contribute N12,500. Filling stations and bars face a higher levy of N100,000 each. Schools and churches were also included in the list of contributors. Morah clarified that he is not responsible for determining the price of the proposed transformer, noting that residents have received differing cost estimates, ranging from over N20 million to approximately N12.5 million for a 750KVA unit. The chairman maintained that his role is to uphold the community's decisions and ensure that all contributions are made through the designated community account. Residents have reportedly been without electricity since the latest transformer failure.