By joshua How Suspected Itsekiri Youths In Ologbo Prevented Ossiomo Power Company From Restoring Electricity To Edo People
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
Efforts by officials of the Ossiomo Power Company to restore electricity supply to its customers in Benin City and its environs through the switching on of the IPP ll unit at the Ossiomo gas plant was Thursday thwarted by some suspected Itsekiri youths in Ologbo community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ossiomo Power Company has been out of business for nearly one year due to the illegal takeover of its gas plant by the youths whose actions are believed to have been influenced by a Chinese firm known as Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Co. Ltd (CCETC).
When news filtered to some members of the public that the multi-billion naira power company was set to resume the supply of electricity to several thousands of its customers, majority of whom have been in darkness for about 10 months, some civil society groups, including the Talakawa’s Parliament led by Marxist Kola Edokpayi, and some journalists happily mobilize themselves to Ologbo to be part of the epoch making event.
At the site, the placards carrying civil society groups declared their support for Ossiomo Power Company and condemned the vandalization of its facilities by hoodlums, noting that the plant remains critical to the state’s economic and industrial development.
They said electricity is a major driver of development, insisting that the people of Edo State should protect and support initiatives capable of improving power supply and boosting businesses in Edo state in particular and Nigeria in general.
The civil society groups also called for peace and cooperation among stakeholders, saying the focus should be on ensuring that the people have access to reliable electricity which Ossiomo Power Company was providing Nigerians before its operation was forcefully and illegally stopped by the Ologbo youths.
Some of the placards reads as follows: “Almighty God said to Ossiomo Power Company, Let there be light in Edo State”, “Talakawas is in solidarity with Ossiomo Power Company”, “Talakawas Support Ossiomo Power Company”, “Ossiomo Power Company has come to stay”, “We say no to VANDALISM”,
“Light shines over darkness”, “Light brings development”, “Ossiomo Power Company is our own”, “Everybody should support Ossiomo Power Company”, amongst others.
They urged all stakeholders, especially the people of Ologbo community to support efforts to protect the Ossiomo power facilities in order to ensure its electricity-generating capacity for the benefit of the people.
They also appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Benin monarch to quickly intervene in the matter so that the Ossiomo Power Company can bounce back and resume the supply electricity to people of the state.
Recall that the giant power company had earlier alleged the vandalization of its 33KV transmission lines and the forceful taken over of its gas station by the suspected Itsekiri youths, even after giving the community nearly 200 million naira as corporate social responsibility (CRS).
But unfortunately, as the members of the civil society groups were driving out of the area, a large group of an irate youths stormed the place in commando style, threatening fire and brimstones.
They held everyone hostage for nearly an hour fuming why the visitors dared to visit the area without their (youths) authorisation, insisting that only visitors to the CCETC are welcome.
The unruly youths who blocked the only exit road would have heavily descended on the journalists and members of the civil society groups if not for the timely intervention of the security personnel posted to protect the property of Ossiomo Power Company.
However, the fierce looking youths led by one Itsekiri youth, Mr. Felix Okotie, still in their show of shame, rough handled some people including a journalist, an Ossiomo Power Company’s driver and a security personnel from the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The rampaging youths claimed that they were acting on behalf of their community and the state government, even as one enraged youth shouting in a loud voice, said “if the governor (Senator Monday Okpebholo), hears you people are here, you people will not leave here in peace”.
Reports have it that these particular youths led by Felix Okotie, have a history of attacking people including security personnel without any repercussions, thereby giving credence to that they have backing of some highly placed people in authority. They behave like people who are above the laws of the land.