Benue blackout: JED is dead wrong for punishing innocent people – Hon

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Benue State, Prof. Sebastine Hon, SAN, has argued that throwing the entire state capital into total blackout because of the face-off between the Jos Electricity Distribution, JED, Plc, and the Benue State Government is completely unacceptable.

He disclosed this while reacting to the face-off in a statement at the weekend in Makurdi.

Prof Hon said while the case of JED is understood, the company is wrong to inflict collateral and vicarious punishment on innocent Benue people.

He said JED’s case is fully understood but warned against collateral and vicarious punishment, arguing that the development is not good for the Benue people and even the image of the electricity distribution company.

He insisted that should JED dare to examine the correct legal position, the company would surely see how it is dead wrong inflicting this type of punishment on the innocent people of the state, warning that a word should be enough for the wise.

Prof Hon said disagreement between government and a service provider should not be visited on consumers who are already bearing economic hardship, urged JED to reconsider its action and restore power supply to the state capital while they are pursuing lawful means of resolving the dispute with the state government.

He said the prolonged blackout has crippled businesses, affected hospitals, schools and households, and warned that such action could damage the corporate image of the electricity company.