The Edo State Government on Wednesday said the meters released by the Federal Government for free onward distribution to electricity consumers were yet to get to the state.
The state Commissioner for Commissioner for Power, Paul Usenbor, who disclosed this in Benin, warned that the state government would not allow any irregularities in the distribution of the metres.
“As we speak, the free metres have not arrived Edo. We will not accept irregularities in the distribution of free metres,” he lamented.
Usenbor, who said investors who show interest to invest in the power sector in the state appeared not to be serious minded, stressed that some of the investors were hawking for letters from the state government with which they would seek loans from banks.
The Edo Power Commissioner disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo has tasked his ministry to follow due standard and technicality to ensure those who have the requisite capacity got the license to generate and distribute power in the state.
Usenbor, who noted that the electricity business was not a joke matter,
disclosed that an investor who showed interest in hydro power was currently at the Ojirami dam to do visibility study on how to generate power from the dam due to industrial cluster within that region.
He also disclosed that some investors have shown interest to generate power from gas.
“We enacted Electricity law in February 2025 and I have taken deliberate steps to develop an Edo State Power market.
“A lot of investors have approached the state but they are not very serious minded. Power business is not a joking matter. It is very expensive. Some of them are hawking for letters from the Edo State government to go and use to solicit for funds. We want those that have the capacity after we have done due diligence before we can engage them.”
Usenbor also dismissed allegations that power investors were scared of coming to Edo State due to current challenges being faced by Ossiomo Power.
He said challenges at Ossiom Power were internal tussle within the structure of their business.
“We are not chasing investors away. Okpebholo did not stop anybody doing business under the power sector from doing business. Ossiomo had issue with their technical partners, the Chinese, and these issues are tied around finances. Okpebholo has mandated that we dived into these issues and give them the needed support to ensure the problem is resolved amicably.”
