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Ondo Youths Laments Power Outage in Akokoland, Flay Representatives For Negligence

Published

8 years ago

May 10, 2017

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Some youths in Ondo state under the auspices of Akoko Concerned Youths (ACY), have decried what they called persistent power outage in the four Local Government Areas of Akokoland, urging their illustrious sons and daughters to come to their rescue.

The areas affected included Akoko North West, Akoko North East, Akoko South West and Akoko South East councils, in the North Senatorial District of the state, all of which were said to be owing the Benin Electric Distribution Company.

In a statement issued and signed by the Coordinator of the group, Comrade Adedotun Olomolatan, in conjunction with National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ondo State chapter, the youths accused their leaders both in National and state Assemblies of non-committal attitudes to the welfare of their constituents.

Olomolatan disclosed that the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) charged its 17, 000 customers in the area the sum of N28m to defray their debts and put in place the necessary infrastructure to restore power.

He said: “We make bold to state that Akoko Concerned Youths will no longer standby and watch our bunch of irresponsible politicians subject us to this persisting darkness by shying away from their responsibilities.”

“We the youths shall not rest on our oars until Akoko experiences and enjoys true dividends of democracy and better infrastructural development.

Olomolatan noted that some BEDC customers have responded to the N2000 BEDC charges per house, and a total of N11.4m has been generated at the moment, leaving a balance of 11.6m after an agreed 20 percent discount by the company.

He lauded the senator representing the district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice for donating the sum of N5m to alleviate the financial burdens on the people, while Mr. Bamiduro Dada paid for Ikun community in Akoko South West council.

The Coordinator expressed disappointment at the indifference of their political representatives to their plights, lamenting that most of them ride expensive cars whose worth can offset the debts while none of the four councils has reached its 80 per cent benchmark.

“We are making this a wake up call to all political stakeholders, office holders and political appointees who presently enjoy the votes of Akoko people, to please wake up to their responsibilities and set a good template for the issues of power to be resolved”, he said.

The youths insisted that all indigenes of the area must attend the upcoming town hall meeting slated for May 29, 2017, themed: “Bring Back Our Light” to discuss issues that border on electricity and the general development of the areas.

He added: “We sound this rallying cry to all true sons and daughters of Akoko region and fellow patriots who are likewise yearning for a better Akoko region that we must resolve with a fervid determination, for Never again shall Akoko communities experience such an irredeemable drawback.”

Olomolatan expressed the readiness of the youths to force their representatives and leaders to perform their responsibilities, saying “even if it takes going to knock on our leaders doors one after another to make sure that they listen to us, we will do it.”

He urged the BEDC to fulfil its own part of the deal.