Residents across Makurdi and communities throughout Benue State are living in darkness following yet another prolonged power outage, with many calling on the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) to take responsibility for the chaos.
A local resident who experienced the blackout in Agatu, a locality in the state, has shared a detailed account of the frustration. He revealed that his entire community has been without light for over two years, despite infrastructure that was supposedly provided by government. He accused JEDC of failing to maintain the facilities, leaving residents unable to enjoy a basic necessity.
The writer went as far as engaging the business manager of the Ojukpo business unit, who is also his course mate from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, along with the team lead covering Adoka-Apa-Agatu, who is an Egba indigene. Every effort by these persons to restore light to the people failed, largely due to lack of support from the management of JEDC.
He further pointed out that JEDC can do better for the people of Benue, noting that instead of showing sympathy, the company is quick to point fingers at the state government. The resident questioned how the people can sympathize with JEDC when they charge exorbitant estimated bills without guaranteed supplies, when they let customers repair transformers with their own money, and when electricity still feels like a luxury.
The post highlighted that as a private organisation, JEDC should act like one and not punish entire communities because of clashes between two customers. He stressed that government is just one customer among many in Benue state, and JEDC has no right to punish other customers who are paying their bills because of disputes with another customer.
The situation has become a symbol of the broader power challenges facing Benue residents, with calls growing for JEDC to settle its issues with the state government and allow the people to breathe. The blackout in Makurdi and other parts of the state continues to affect businesses, households, and daily life, prompting widespread frustration with the distribution company’s performance.
