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The Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B (South-South), Comrade Victor Ogechukwu, has reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on epileptic power supply and fraudulent estimated billing across campuses in Delta State.
He made this known during a meeting of NANS held in Asaba, the state capital.
Comrade Ogechukwu expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of electricity distribution in tertiary institutions and students’ residential areas, describing the situation as unacceptable. He noted that reports reaching the NANS executive point to a systemic failure to provide even the most basic electricity services to the student community.
According to him, while students are subjected to prolonged periods of erratic or non-existent power supply, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) continues the “unconscionable practice” of issuing exorbitant estimated bills to campuses and student lodges.
He stressed that such actions go beyond service failure and amount to a direct assault on the academic and financial well-being of Nigerian students, describing the development as highly unfortunate.
The NANS Coordinator further stated that any hardship faced by students is a matter of serious concern to his administration, assuring that the leadership would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the welfare and comfort of students across the state.
Comrade Ogechukwu outlined the core demands of NANS to include the immediate cessation of the “pay-for-darkness” model—charging students for electricity not consumed; the prompt and transparent provision of prepaid meters in all student-populated areas; and the restoration of stable and reliable power supply.
He emphasized that electricity remains a critical necessity for academic excellence and safety, noting that persistent outages have severely hindered students’ ability to study and have also compromised security in off-campus hostels.
“NANS South-South is fully committed to protecting the interests of our constituents. We expect a concrete plan of action regarding the metering of campuses and student lodges within seven days,” he stated.
