Africa-Press – Nigeria. Following the ownership dispute between Ossiomo Power and its Chinese partner, CCETC, that resulted in customers disconnecting from the company, the members of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, have passed a resolution mandating the leadership of the council to remain with the power company.
The members passed the resolution at an emergency Congress on Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Benin City.
In a six-point communique, the Congress noted that the private power plant has provided 24-hour electricity to the union’s secretariat for the past three years.
The congress, however, urged the Edo State Government to create an enabling environment for more private investors to invest in the state.
It commended the Edo State government for the ongoing developmental projects across the State such as the Ramat Park Flyover and the rebuilding of the burnt Oba Market.
It further called on the contractor handling the flyover to expedite action and deliver the project promptly.
Earlier, the Chairman of NUJ in the State, Comrade Festus Alenkhe told members that the emergency congress was necessitated by the two-week blackout currently being experienced at the NUJ Press Centre.
Alenkhe also commended members across the 16 chapels for turning up for the congress in large numbers, despite the short notice.
DAILY POST reports that the state government, as a result of the ownership dispute, disconnected from the power company.
The government directed all ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals that were previously connected to Ossiomo’s 11KV lines to reconnect to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
The MDAs are the State Secretariat, Government House, major hospitals, and private subscribers in a bid to avert a total blackout of public services.
The Ossiomo plant, a 95MW gas-fired facility, had been celebrated as a bold solution to Edo’s perennial power deficit.
It provided electricity to government offices, hotels, industries, the NUJ Secretariat, Government House, and street lighting across parts of Benin.
The communique was signed by Comrade Festus Alenkhe and Comrade Andy Egbon, chairman and secretary of the union respectively.
The communique was drafted by Usman Aliyu, Chairman, Josephine Erhinmwinhe, Secretary and Charles Kiseh.
The electricity company had shut down operations since September 1, 2025, thereby plunging its customers into total darkness.
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