Benue State Power Crisis: Political Figures Criticize JED Over Prolonged Blackout
Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, has condemned the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc for cutting power to Makurdi amid a dispute with the Benue State Government, labeling the move as an unfair punishment of innocent residents.
A significant power outage affecting Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, has drawn sharp criticism from Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, the governorship candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The blackout, which stems from an ongoing dispute between the Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Plc and the Benue State Government, has left residents and businesses without reliable electricity.
The Impact of the Disconnection
According to Prof. Hon, the decision by JED to disconnect power supplies in response to its conflict with the state government has resulted in widespread collateral damage. In a statement released in Makurdi, he noted that the prolonged lack of electricity has severely hampered essential services and daily life. The affected sectors include:
- Small and Medium Enterprises: Local businesses that rely on electricity to operate have seen their productivity crippled.
- Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals and clinics are facing operational challenges, potentially endangering patient care.
- Educational Institutions: Schools have been disrupted, impacting the learning environment for students.
- Households: Families are struggling to maintain basic living standards during the extended period of darkness.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Prof. Hon argued that while JED may have grievances regarding its relationship with the state government, utilizing a total blackout as a tool of negotiation is fundamentally flawed. He described the action as “vicarious punishment” against innocent citizens who are already navigating significant economic hardship.
The legal expert suggested that if JED were to review the legal framework governing its service obligations, it would find that its current approach is untenable. He warned that such actions not only harm the populace but also damage the corporate reputation of the utility provider. “Disagreement between government and a service provider should not be visited on consumers,” Hon stated, urging the company to seek alternative, lawful methods to resolve the impasse with state authorities.
Calls for Immediate Restoration
The SDP candidate has called upon JED to immediately restore power to the state capital while the dispute with the government is handled through appropriate channels. At the time of reporting, the specific details regarding the nature of the disagreement between the state government and JED remain limited, and the company has not publicly responded to these specific allegations. Prof. Hon concluded his statement with a warning, suggesting that the company should reconsider its stance before the situation further erodes its standing with the public.
As the blackout continues, residents remain caught in the middle of a high-stakes standoff between utility providers and state officials, with little clarity on when normal service will resume.
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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria
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