Osogbo residents storm IBEDC office over poor power supply

Aggrieved residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday, stormed the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Station Road Office in Osogbo to protest what they described as persistent epileptic electricity supply across several communities in the town.

The protesters, drawn from Owo-Eba, Garage Ilesa, Tara, Oke-Bale axis, OSBC area, UNIOSUN axis, Air Force Base, Army Depot, Boredun, Coker, Odu, Omu and other affected areas, accused the power distribution company of subjecting them to grossly inadequate supply following their reclassification from Band A to Band C.

They lamented that businesses are being hampered while pervasive darkness in communities at night is already threatening security of lives and property of the affected communities.

In a communiqué issued after a meeting of the communities and made available to journalists during the protest, the representatives alleged that since the reclassification, residents had struggled to receive up to four hours of electricity daily, contrary to the minimum 12 hours stipulated under the band classification system.

They raised concerns over circulating allegations that electricity meant for them was being diverted and sold to the highest bidder.

Although they admitted they could not independently verify the claims, they said the persistent supply shortfall has fueled widespread dissatisfaction.

The protesters demanded immediate restoration to Band A classification within seven days from the issuance of their communiqué and called on IBEDC to urgently address the supply deficit in line with the stipulated minimum hours for each tariff band.

They warned that failure to meet their demands within the given timeframe would compel them to take lawful collective actions, including reconsidering the operational access of IBEDC personnel within their communities.

Addressing the protesters, Ifeanyi Ikeji, the IBEDC’s Regional Managers, said the company was willing to return the affected communities to Band A but would not rush into the decision without first addressing the challenges affecting power supply.

He said, “We are ready to return you to Band A, but another major obstacle is the issue of unmetered customers. Go back and tell your people to procure one so that the areas can meet up with 90 percent meter requirements for Band A costumers.”