As distribution companies (discos) in the country intensify efforts at crecovering the debts owed by military and para-military formations, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, has summoned a meeting of all Area Commanders within her command on how to map out modality for the immediate payment of electricity bills by residents of police barracks in the state.
The CP dropped this hint during a courtesy visit by the Chief State Head, Ondo and Ekiti States, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC), Mr. Ernest Edgar, in Akure.
In a statement signed by the BEDC Chief Corporate Services Officer, Mrs Kunbi Labiyi, Edgar confirmed that with respect to payment for police stations and offices, the Force headquarters had been duly advised and that payment would commence soon.
Mrs. Ibifuro-Harrison said the change mantra of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government must start from every individual and the Nigerian Police force must be seen as leading from the front.
Edgar commended the command for the timely arraignment of two vandals with conviction and sentencing of one of them to two years imprisonment by the Odigbo Magistrate Court.
He also lauded the CP for her exemplary and professional disposition while asserting that such patriotic leadership was needed in the polity at this crucial phase of change.
Earlier last Tuesday, the BEDC had honoured the Odigbo community in Ondo State for demonstrating awareness and responsibility in apprehending electricity equipment vandals in the town.
Speaking at the reception held at the palace of the Odigbo, the Head of Agents and Channels Development, BEDC, Mrs. Felicia Nlemoha, who represented the Managing Director/Chief Executive, said since the police and other law enforcement agencies could not be everywhere, the communities should rise up to the task of protecting electricity installations in their domain used in supplying services to them.
While commenting on the low power generation to the grid which has limited the capacity of BEDC to distribute electricity based on demand, Nlemoha urged residents of Odigbo community to take advantage of BEDC’s payment channels including Point of Sales (PoS) to pay their bills and help improve the power sector.
Responding, the traditional ruler of Odigbo community, Oba Rufus Olugboyega Akinrinmade, said despite the fact that the vandals were from his domain, he insisted that justice prevailed to serve as deterrent to others and to also preserve his integrity.
Oba Akinrinmade commended the efforts of BEDC Ondo business unit, urging his people to pay for electricity, adding that his community was sensitized on prompt payment of bills and that his people would keep their own side of the agreement signed with the Ondo State Government.
He promised that his kingdom would protect staff and equipment of BEDC in their domain, saying that he should be informed of any challenges militating against BEDC operations.
The reception was meant to identify with the Odigbo community which demonstrated deep sense of responsibility and ownership by apprehending vandals of Odiole 500KVA and mosque 200KVA distribution transformers in the community.
