Benue In Darkness: Ortom’s Ex-spokesman Blasts Speaker Over Dead Electricity Law

The former Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Samuel Ortom, Terver Akase, has launched a blistering attack on the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, over the failure to implement the Benue State Electricity Law, 154 days after it was signed. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

In a strongly-worded statement, the former CPS questioned whether the law had gone on annual leave or had been instructed to remain in darkness until further notice.

He recalled that on June 8, 2026, Governor Hyacinth Alia signed the Benue State Electricity Bill into law amid fanfare, with speeches about improving power supply, attracting investors and stimulating economic development.

“It was a big occasion. Everybody at the ceremony was excited. At last, Benue was going to take charge of its electricity future!” he said.

But, he lamented, 154 days have passed with no tangible step towards implementation.

“Has the law gone on annual leave? Is it waiting for another executive signature? Or has the electricity sector been instructed to remain in darkness until further notice?” he queried.

The former CPS contrasted Benue’s stagnation with Abia State, where Governor Alex Otti signed the electricity law on March 17, 2025, established the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA), and moved swiftly to concrete interventions.

He noted that Aba and eight surrounding LGAs in Abia now benefit from the Geometric Power arrangement, while a mini-grid regulatory framework has also been introduced to encourage private investment in rural electricity.

“Meanwhile, in Benue, 154 days after the governor signed our own electricity law, we are still waiting to see the first tangible steps towards implementation. The electricity law appears to have been signed into a state of permanent suspense!” he said.

He challenged the Speaker on the House’s constitutional oversight responsibility, stressing that the legislature did not pass the law merely to provide another document for government archives, but legislation intended to change the lives of the people.

“Now that the Executive has signed it, what is the House doing to ensure that the law is implemented? Has the relevant House committee summoned the responsible officials to explain the delay? Has the government presented an implementation roadmap? What is the status of the proposed electricity regulatory agency?” he asked.

He warned that oversight is not a ceremonial function.

“Mr Speaker, with all due respect sir, oversight is not a ceremonial function. It is not enough to pass a law, watch the governor sign it, take photographs and move on to the next legislative business,” he said.

“Abia is already discussing electricity investments and delivering power through its independent arrangement. Benue is still discussing the electricity law that was signed five months ago.”

He concluded with a direct challenge to the Assembly:

“Honourable Speaker, can the House switch on its oversight light? The people are waiting for electricity, not another signing ceremony. A law signed in June should not still be searching for its first practical expression in November.”

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