Edo State has been thrown into unexpected darkness after a bitter quarrel erupted between Ossiomo Power & Infrastructure, a Nigerian-owned energy firm, and its Chinese partner, Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC).
The Chinese company had accused Ossiomo of owing it substantial amounts of money, a claim that quickly triggered operational disruptions at the 95MW Ossiomo power plant that supplies electricity to government buildings, streetlights, businesses, and estates across Benin City.
But Ossiomo is strongly denying the allegations. In a statement reported by Punch, the firm insisted it does not owe CCETC “a single kobo,” stressing that it had already made payments exceeding ₦2 billion in line with its obligations.
The dispute has already taken a toll. Residents and businesses across Edo have complained of sudden outages. Government offices, hotels, and even the city’s streetlights powered by Ossiomo went dark as the row deepened.
Lens News gathered that Edo State officials were blindsided by the crisis, with government sources claiming they were never consulted before the shutdown. The situation has since stirred public anger, as many believe ordinary citizens are being punished for boardroom disagreements.
Analysts warn that the fallout could jeopardize investor confidence in Nigeria’s struggling power sector if urgent mediation is not carried out. “This is a very dangerous signal to foreign investors,” one industry expert told Lens News. “If disputes like this cripple supply, the public will always suffer.”
As of Saturday evening, there was still no clarity on how the standoff would end. Both companies remain firm on their positions, while Edo residents are left grappling with darkness and uncertainty.
