Vehicular movement came to a standstill and commuters were left stranded on Wednesday due to a protest by University of Benin students blocking the Benin/Ore highway. They were protesting against a power outage affecting the Ugbowo and Ekhewan campuses in Benin. The university had been plunged into darkness due to a disagreement with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company over what they deemed as unfair electricity billing.
According to reports, the university’s monthly electricity bill skyrocketed from N80 million to N280 million, a development that left the management dismayed. In response, the institution resorted to using alternative power generators and implementing power rationing across the affected campuses.
The protest began early in the morning, with students brandishing placards and chanting slogans as they occupied the highway. One of the protesting students, identified as John, lamented the dire situation: “We only get one hour of electricity each day since this problem started. It’s frustrating to study in these conditions. We need electricity to read and prepare for exams. The university must take responsibility and fix this issue.”
Sarah, another student protester, emphasized their determination to continue until a solution is reached: “We won’t leave until something changes. We can’t risk failing our exams because of the university’s negligence.”
The blockade of the highway had economic repercussions as well. A driver named Osas expressed his frustration, stating, “This protest is costing me money. If I had known, I would have chosen another route. I’m falling behind on my daily earnings and might not meet my target.”
Despite the inconvenience caused by heavy rainfall, the students remained resolute in their protest, determined to see a resolution to their grievances.
In response to inquiries, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehanire, disclosed that the Senate was in a meeting to address the issue. She assured that efforts were underway to resolve the electricity crisis affecting the campuses.
The situation drew mixed reactions from commuters caught in the gridlock. An anonymous commuter, visibly upset, remarked, “I’m supposed to be at work now, but I’ve been stuck here for hours. I sympathize with the students, but blocking the highway is not the answer.”
The protest underscored the urgency of resolving the electricity dispute between the University of Benin and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, highlighting the broader impact on both academic activities and the local community.
