UNIBEN Students Halt Traffic, Block Benin-Ore Highway to Protest Power Outage

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

Students of the University of Benin on Wednesday blocked the busy Benin-Ore Highway in response to weeks of power outages on the campus. 

OPEN TELEVISION Naija gathered that with only two weeks left for the students to write their first semester exams, the students, who stated that the lack of electricity was severely hindering their study preparations, took the step to get the attention of appropriate authorities.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the university has been without power due to a disagreement with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over a disputed electricity bill. 

The University Management expressed frustration after Benin Disco reportedly increased the monthly electricity charges by over 200 percent, raising the bill from about N80 million to between N200 and N280 million. 

As a result of the increment, the University has had to rely on power generators and ration electricity across both campuses and hostels. 

"We have only had one hour of electricity each day since this issue began. We are tired of studying in the dark," the students' lamented. 

One of the protesting students, John Afolabi stated that "We need electricity to study and prepare for our exams. The university management must take responsibility and resolve this issue." 

OPEN TELEVISION Naija reports that the protest began early in the morning, with the students were carrying placards and chanting slogans as they blocked the highway. 

A 300 level student from the Ugbowo Campus, Sarah Osaigbovo, said "We will not leave until something is done. We can't afford to fail our exams due to the university's negligence,"  

As gathered by OPEN TELEVISION Naija, from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the protest significantly disrupted traffic, leaving many passengers stranded. 

A frustrated Commuter, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, "I'm supposed to be at work right now, but I've been stuck here for hours. I understand the students' plight, but they need to find a better way to protest." 

Despite the rain, the students were determined to continue their demonstration. 

When contacted, the University's Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, stated that the Senate was currently meeting to address the issue.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija recalls that Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, formerly known as Kano State University of Science and Technology also had similar power outage experience that threw the campus into darkness with the Kano Electricity Distribution Company.