As Oyo Govt Seals IBEDC’s Offices, Governor’s Office Remains In Darkness Over N450m Debt
The Oasis Reporters
February 9, 2022
…stalemate remains though diplomatic shuttles continue, being brokered by eminent Ibadan elite
The Oyo State Governor’s Office and other buildings in the State Secretariat have been thrown into darkness following the disconnection of electricity supply as a result of heavy indebtedness, going by the account of the electricity corporation in the region, IBEDC
The Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc has cried out saying that the Oyo State Government, in retaliation has illegally sealed off its offices.
The electricity distribution company said the state owes it N450 million and it disconnected supply to the State Secretariat over its failure to pay but the company said the state, through its officials, retaliated by sealing its offices over some contrived debts.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer, John Ayodele, on Wednesday and made available to the media by Lead, Media Relations of IBEDC, Busolami Tunwase.
The company said the state government claimed IBEDC is owing revenue bills and personal income hence the action, but Ayodele said this claim is quite suspicious.
Ayodele explained that the company, as part of efforts to get the outstanding paid, initiated several engagements through correspondences and physical meetings, but all these efforts yielded no positive result.
The statement reads, “The management of IBEDC hereby informs its esteemed customers of the retaliatory and illegal action of the Oyo State Government over the issue of its huge indebtedness.
“The Oyo State Government on Wednesday 9 February 2022 commenced the sealing off of our offices within the state over some suddenly contrived debts labeled revenue bills and personal income without due notification.
“This issue of revenue bills and personal income arising now is quite suspicious.
“Oyo State Government is owing IBEDC a whopping consumption outstanding of N450 million for over a period of three years.
“No business in this country can run successfully with such a huge outstanding, the power we distribute to customers must be accounted for and paid for, we have no choice but to disconnect the Oyo State Secretariat, so it is worrisome to see that the government has sealed off our offices with this underhand and arm twisting tactics, instead of paying the debt owed.
“This was not done in good faith and it would have a damaging effect on the business and service delivery to our customers.”
Ayodele appealed to the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to look into the matter in the interest of all concerned as this would further exacerbate the power challenges and pressure on residents and commercial activities within the state.
He said IBEDC engages in essential services to the public, and the effect of this arm twisting tactic can at best be imagined if not quickly arrested.
IBEDC board led by Tunde Ayeni was recently disbanded over heavy indebtedness to banks, especially Skye Bank which has taken over the energy distributor under a suspected receivership.
Provision of electricity is generally poor in Nigeria, thus crippling businesses in the country in a situation whereby majority of electricity consumers get estimated and arbitrary billings because the IBEDC has failed in issuing meters that would have made its revenue collection slightly honest and less contentious.
Additional reporting from an adapted Punch newspaper report.
