Edo State Government don express serious concern over di shutdown of Ossiomo Power plant, di one wey dey generate around 11 megawatts of electricity before e close. Di development don hit government offices and residents for Benin wey dey rely on di plant for light.
Commissioner for Power, Hon. Paul Usenbo, call di shutdown unfortunate. E say e don negatively affect government facilities, businesses, industries, hospitals, artisans, households, and di whole economy of di state.
Di power plant bin shut down for September 2025 during ownership crisis between Ossiomo and im Chinese partner, Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC). Usenbo explain say before di shutdown, Ossiomo dey supply electricity to residents of Edo State, SMEs, business owners, industries, and plenty government facilities. E tok say di role wey di company play for electricity sector before no be small thing.
According to am, “Di effect don be significant. Ossiomo previously don dey supply electricity to residents of Edo State, SME, business owners, industries, and also several government facilities. After di shutdown, di state government don reconnect some of e own facilities to BEDC, while still dey deal with di wider consequences of inadequate electricity supply.”
E add say, “Every megawatt wey no dey available get economic consequence. Di government position clear: we want di dispute resolved, di investment protected, and electricity restored to consumers, but dis must be achieved according to law.”
When dem ask am if government know say people dey unhappy with Ossiomo Power inability to continue supply light, Usenbo confirm say dem dey aware. E say, “Yes, we dey aware of di concerns of di people, and we understand dia frustration. Edo people want electricity. Dem no want explanations; dem want results.”
But e clarify say di state government no own or operate Ossiomo Power Company. According to am, government cannot just take over private company facilities or force commercial settlement for parties wey dey dispute. Wetin government fit do na to facilitate dialogue, provide regulatory support, protect lawful investments, and work with security agencies and other authorities to make sure rule of law dey prevail.
Usenbo disclose say as recent as August 2026, there be reports say Ossiomo dey try to resume generation but e encounter further disruption from youths for e Ologbo facility.
On how government fit intervene to make Ossiomo come back, e say first, all parties must respect rule of law and sanctity of contracts and legitimate investments. Second, state government go continue to facilitate structured negotiations between di parties, without taking side for any private commercial dispute. Third, security of critical electricity infrastructure must be guaranteed. No community, individual, or private interest should dey allowed to vandalise or unlawfully take control of power infrastructure. Finally, state government go continue to encourage multiple sources of electricity generation.
Usenbo sympathise with Edo people and say government understand dia present frustration. E assure say government no dey complacent. E tok say, “Electricity no longer dey treated merely as social service; we see efficient and reliable electricity as economic infrastructure and foundation for industrialisation, job creation, healthcare, education, and improved living standards. Di reforms wey dey happen for Edo na to change di structure of di sector permanently.”
E don ask Edo people to remain patient but also to hold dem accountable. “Our destination na Edo State where reliable electricity go dey available to homes, businesses, industries, and public institutions, not as promise, but as dependable service. Governor Monday Okpebholo administration commitment clear: we go continue to work until Edo get di electricity wey e need to power economic transformation,” e posit out.
