The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the dispute between the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company over prolonged power outages affecting Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states.
The lawmakers warned that the continued disruption could threaten lives, cripple essential services and deepen economic hardship for residents and businesses across the affected states.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Clement Jimbo, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom State, who raised concerns over the shutdown of electricity services and its implications for critical sectors.
Jimbo warned that prolonged blackouts could disrupt healthcare delivery, water supply, telecommunications, banking and education, while placing additional pressure on small businesses and public infrastructure dependent on regular electricity.
He also expressed concern that alternative sources, including solar power, might provide limited relief during the rainy season because of reduced sunlight.
The motion received majority support at plenary, prompting the House to urge relevant electricity-sector authorities to facilitate an amicable and lasting resolution between the union and BEDC.
The lawmakers also mandated the House Committees on Power and Labour and Employment to investigate the dispute, identify the causes of the shutdown and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
They called on the union and BEDC management to resume negotiations and take urgent steps to restore electricity supply across the four states.
Pending a resolution, the House urged relevant authorities to provide alternative power arrangements for hospitals, emergency medical facilities and other critical public services.
The intervention comes amid growing concerns over the impact of prolonged electricity outages on households, businesses and essential services, with lawmakers seeking a swift settlement to restore normal supply and address the underlying dispute.
