BEDC BLACKOUT: SCKYE HOSPITAL CMD, IKUBESE RAISES ALARM OVER IMPENDING MASS CASUALTIES AS NUEE STRIKE ENTERS 24 HOURS
By PATH Correspondent
Dr Thomas Wilson-Ikubese, the Chief Medical Director of the Sckye MultiSpecialist Hospital, Akure has raised alarm over the total blackout across four states under the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) following the industrial action by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).
In a video sent to the PATH NEWS, Ikubese speaking with a heavy heart as a stakeholder in the health industry, said the strike which has lasted over 24 hours has led to total shutdown of electricity supply in Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Delta States.
According to him, the situation is worsened by the rainy season, as health facilities that rely on solar power as alternative cannot maximize it due to poor sunlight.
“And what makes it even worse is the fact that this is raining season. So even those facilities that have solar power cannot have it maximized because of the rainfall”
“Today’s date is the 20th day of October 2026 and I’m making this video with a very heavy heart. It’s about 3pm now and it’s been over 24 hours that the National Union of Electricity Employees have embarked on a strike across the four states that BEDC covers and that is Ondo State, Ekiti State, Edo State and Delta State — four states”.
“I’m making this video as a stakeholder in the health industry appealing to the Federal Government, appealing to the State Governors and the management of BEDC to please rise up and intervene in this matter. I can never imagine that this will happen. If light is not restored, if electricity is not restored by the end of today, there will be mass casualties”
He therefore appealed to the Federal Government, the Governors of the four affected states, and the management of BEDC to immediately engage the union and resolve the dispute before the close of business today.
“Many people will lose their lives unnecessarily. So I’m appealing to the Federal Government, the State Government and the management of BEDC to please rise and discuss with this union and resolve this matter before the close of today”.
The NUEE strike has crippled business and social activities across the BEDC franchise area.
