The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to intervene in an industrial dispute between the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company that has cut power to Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states. Lawmakers warned that if the shutdown continues, it could endanger lives, disrupt essential services and worsen economic hardship for residents and businesses in the affected regions.
Clement Jimbo, a member of the House from Akwa Ibom State, presented a motion of urgent national importance highlighting the consequences of the outage. He said the disruption, lasting more than 24 hours, threatens public safety and the operation of critical services including healthcare delivery, water supply, telecommunications, banking and education. Jimbo raised particular concern about hospitals and medical facilities, warning that prolonged blackouts could compromise life-support equipment, laboratories, maternity centres and emergency units, as well as temperature-sensitive medical supplies and surgical services.
The lawmaker also noted that small businesses and public infrastructure depending on regular electricity supply would suffer significantly. He warned that alternative energy sources such as solar power might not provide adequate relief during the rainy season due to reduced sunlight for battery charging. The motion received majority support at the House plenary.
The House mandated its Committees on Power and Labour and Employment to investigate the circumstances of the dispute, identify the immediate causes of the shutdown and recommend measures to prevent future incidents. Lawmakers urged both the union and BEDC management to resume dialogue and negotiations to restore electricity supply. The House also called on relevant authorities to arrange alternative power for hospitals, emergency medical facilities and other critical public services while normal supply is being restored.
The interruption has highlighted the vulnerability of communities, households, businesses and public institutions that depend on the distribution network. The House intervention aims to secure a resolution that restores supply to affected areas while addressing the underlying issues in the dispute between the electricity workers' union and the distribution company.