Osogbo communities protest erratic power supply, demand return to Band A
No fewer than 11 communities in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over what they described
No fewer than 11 communities in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over what they described as persistent and erratic electricity supply.
The affected areas — Akede, Owo Eba, Oke-Baale, Army Depot, Uniosun, Airforce Base, Odu, Coker, Ilesa-Garage, Boredun, Tara, Omu and OSBC — called on the distribution company to restore them to Band A to guarantee improved power supply.
The protesters converged at Oke-Baale before marching to the IBEDC head office on Station Road, chanting songs critical of the company’s management. Security personnel, including two police patrol vans, were deployed to the scene to maintain order as the demonstrators were barred from entering the premises.
Placards displayed during the protest bore inscriptions such as “Return us to Band A”, “Our business is dying” and “IBEDC, you are wicked”.
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Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr Badmus Akeem said the power challenges began after the communities were downgraded from Band A to Band C under the electricity band classification system.
According to him, residents have since struggled to receive up to four hours of electricity daily, falling short of the minimum 12 hours prescribed for Band A customers.
“The impact of this epileptic power supply has been devastating. Residents are experiencing severe hardship, small-scale businesses are on the verge of collapse, and corporate institutions are significantly affected.”
They demanded that all communities under their umbrella be restored to Band A within seven days and called on IBEDC to urgently address the supply shortfall in line with the stipulated minimum hours per band.
Akeem warned that failure to meet the demand within the ultimatum period could lead to lawful collective actions, including reconsidering operational access for IBEDC personnel in the affected areas.
Responding, the IBED's Regional Manager, Mr Ifeanyi Ikeji said the company is ready to return the communities to Band A but will not want to rush to the decision without rectifying the inadequacy with power generation which hindered the DISCO from meeting it responsibility to end users.
He said the problem with power generation affect the entire country and the customers on band A, which is the only band that is profitable to the company.
"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."
