TUNDE ADELEKE, Osogbo
The Licensed Electrical Contractors of Nigeria (LECAN), Osun State Chapter, protested against what it described as continued exploitation, harassment, and inhumane treatment of residents by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), calling for urgent intervention and reform.
Members of the LECAN who stormed the streets on Thursday were seen carrying different placards with various inscriptions like “Enough of IBEDC exploitation”, “Enough of supplying substandard meters”, “Band System is A Fraud” and among others.
Speaking at the sidelines of the protest in Osogbo, the representative of the Group, Prophet Michael Adebayo, alleged that IBEDC workers have consistently crossed legal boundaries by assuming roles exclusive to licensed contractors.
Adebayo condemned the unlawful “usurpation” of responsibilities by IBEDC workers, which, he according to him, violates the Electricity Act of 2013, stressing that the roles of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), licensed electrical contractors, and consumers are clearly defined in the Act.
He also lamented that ordinary residents now face enormous challenges in accessing electricity services, with IBEDC workers becoming barriers rather than facilitators.
His words, “We appreciate the presence of the press in our midst today, associating with us on this struggle is directly and indirectly associating with the masses on the exploitation, harassment and inhumane treatment we are all subjected to by the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
“First the Electricity Act of 2013 stipulates the roles of DISCOS Workers, Electrical Contractors and Consumers. Unfortunately, IBEDC Workers have Usurped the responsibility of licence contractors only to turn into tormentors who wickedly exploit the residents/customers.
“As ordinary residents, we are now at the mercy of IBEDC workers to get an electricity metre, who should be responsible for connection to the national grid. IBEDC workers have become a barrier to residents joining the grid through excruciating conditions.
“IBEDC fraudulently exploits customers as those given new accounts were usually charged a debit minimum of N100,000 on newly created accounts even before joining the grid. This unknown debt would even be transferred into the customer’s prepaid metres, thereby paying for service never rendered contrary to the Electricity Act.
“Also some customers, whose electricity metres required that their cards be submitted for metre upgrade, IBEDC have refused to return their cards, this is Illegal. We are also of the opinion that the Band system is not working, therefore the concept of Band A is a Fraud.
“We also challenge IBEDC Workers that the Electricity Act does not permit them to take up the role of electrical contractors, thereby exploiting residents who are desperate to buy/replace or repair damaged transformers. In some cases, installed transformers are not powered because IBEDC are not given adequate PR’ to connect such transformers to the national grid.”
Reacting to the allegations, the IBEDC spokesperson, Kikelomo Owoeye, noted that the IBEDEC remains committed to transparency, customer service, and regulatory compliance, and encourages customers to engage through official channels for any concerns or clarifications.
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