Electricity Consumers Kick Against Disconnection of 3 Communities from National Grid Over Variation In Prepaid Meters By IBEDC

Residents of Ilupeju, Alatise, and Ijaregbe communities  in Obokun local government area of Osun state held a peaceful protest today at the Ayeso  A" Division police station in Ilesa over the alleged illegal disconnecting of their communities from the power grid by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company officials (IBEDC).

The residents who stated that the settlements had been completely in the dark since last Thursday bemoaned what they called the arbitrary actions of IBEDC officials on the Ijesa land axis.

Mr. Bello Kazeem and Mr. Aderibigbe Adeyemi, two worried landlords who spoke to reporters on behalf of others from the communities,  noted that the IBEDC authorities claimed that some residents had planted wrong Prepaid metres from the Ibadan axis in their homes, which led to their actions.

However, the pair claimed that the residents did not appreciate the decision to disconnect them from the national grid and that they had accused IBEDC officials of having sponsored some members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to inflict various degrees of injuries on community representatives who had gone to peacefully communicate with them about the development 

The second-in-command  of the Ayeso Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Iyanda Segun, commended the affected  citizens for their nonviolent response to the development and for not violating the law.

Mr. Iyanda gave them the assurance that the local police authority will work with IBEDC officials and representatives of the affected communities to find a solution.

The IBEDC's Ilesa Business Hub Manager, Mr. Fola Akinrinlola, refuted the accusations when reached, while the IBEDC's Osun State Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Kikelomo Owoeye, stated the issue is with the IBEDC's headquarters and an official comment will be made shortly.

Haastrup