Power Outage: Monarch Calls for Community Action Against Vandalism

Stakeholders in Benue State have decried the persistent theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure, blaming the development for prolonged power outages and poor electricity supply, particularly in parts of the state.

They spoke at a Customer Consultative Forum organised by the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED Plc) in Makurdi as part of activities marking the 2026 Customer Service Week, themed, “The Extra Mile.”

The Och’Idoma, Dr Elaigwu Odogbo John, represented by the First Class Chief of Otukpo/Ohimini, HRH Emmanuel Okochi, said Benue South continued to suffer prolonged outages, low voltage and load shedding.

He called for improved electricity supply to the zone, urging customers to pay their bills promptly while ending energy theft and meter bypass.

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The monarch also condemned the vandalisation of transformers, theft of cables and destruction of electricity poles, warning that the activities were undermining power supply and economic development in the state.

“The vandalisation of transformers, stealing of cables, destruction of poles must stop. Anyone caught vandalising JED property is an enemy of Idoma land and will be handed over to security agencies,” he said.

He urged traditional rulers to establish Community Electricity Committees to strengthen community participation in protecting electricity infrastructure.

The monarch also proposed a Direct Liaison Desk with the Och’Idoma’s Palace to improve communication between the traditional institution and JED Plc on electricity-related issues.

He said reliable electricity supply was critical to economic growth, healthcare, security and the wellbeing of residents.

“When there is light in Zone C, the economy will blossom, health and wellbeing will improve and insecurity will be reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.

Also speaking, the Head of Corporate Communication, JED Plc, Saratu Aliyu Dauda, said the company was committed to improving customer satisfaction through feedback and investments in network expansion and upgrades.

Dauda, who described the forum as the grand finale of the 2026 Customer Service Week activities in the state, said complaints received from customers were being addressed, while issues beyond the state office were escalated to the company’s headquarters in Jos.

She said the company had recorded a reduction in customer complaints following recent investments in network expansion and upgrade.

However, some customers expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of electricity supply and billing.

A customer, Mrs Margaret Annum of Makurdi, described the forum as educative, particularly on safety tips and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, but complained about what she described as outrageous billing despite inadequate electricity supply.

Similarly, Ihuman Alphonsus Solomon, Senior Deputy Director, Works and Maintenance Unit, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, said poor electricity supply was affecting critical facilities in the institution.

Solomon, who said the forum exposed him to the need for consumers to speak out against electricity theft, also complained about difficulties in vending electricity through smartphones.

He said the poor supply in Zone C was particularly affecting laboratories, information and communication technology facilities and administrative blocks.

“Some days we don’t even have light at all, and it’s a community where laboratories, ICT, admin blocks all need light to perform,” he said.

In his opening remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of JED Plc, Engr. Sediko Douka, represented by the State Operation Officer in Benue, Comrade Ojochide Agbata, assured customers of the company’s commitment to responsiveness, accountability and continuous improvement.

He said customer feedback remained important to improving service delivery, adding that every customer interaction presented an opportunity for the company to serve better.

The forum brought together government officials, traditional rulers, security chiefs and electricity consumers for discussions on power supply, customer satisfaction and service delivery.