Stakeholders in Benue State, including traditional rulers and electricity consumers, have expressed concern over the persistent power outages and vandalism of electricity infrastructure in the state. The issues were raised 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. The forum brought together government officials, traditional rulers, security chiefs and electricity consumers for discussions on power supply, customer satisfaction and service delivery.
The Och’Idoma, Dr Elaigwu Odogbo John, represented by the First Class Chief of Otukpo/Ohimini, HRH Emmanuel Okochi, called for improved electricity supply to the Benue South zone, which has been experiencing prolonged outages, low voltage and load shedding. He urged customers to pay their bills promptly and end energy theft and meter bypass. The monarch also condemned the vandalisation of transformers, theft of cables and destruction of electricity poles, warning that these activities undermine power supply and economic development in the state.
The monarch proposed the establishment of Community Electricity Committees to strengthen community participation in protecting electricity infrastructure. He also suggested a Direct Liaison Desk with the Och’Idoma’s Palace to improve communication between the traditional institution and JED Plc on electricity-related issues. According to him, reliable electricity supply is critical to economic growth, healthcare, security and the wellbeing of residents.
The Head of Corporate Communication, JED Plc, Saratu Aliyu Dauda, said the company is committed to improving customer satisfaction through feedback and investments in network expansion and upgrades. She described the forum as the grand finale of the 2026 Customer Service Week activities in the state and said complaints received from customers were being addressed.
Some customers, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of electricity supply and billing. A customer, Mrs Margaret Annum of Makurdi, described the forum as educative 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.
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 and that every customer interaction presented an opportunity for the company to serve better.
The forum was part of JED Plc’s efforts to engage with customers and improve service delivery. The company has recorded a reduction in customer complaints following recent investments in network expansion and upgrade. The stakeholders called for community action against vandalism and urged the company to continue to invest in network expansion and upgrades to improve electricity supply in the state.
Key points
- The monarch called for community action against vandalism of electricity infrastructure.
- The company has recorded a reduction in customer complaints following recent investments in network expansion and upgrade.
- Customers expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of electricity supply and billing.
