Residents of Mogede community in Ibafo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have raised serious concerns over what they describe as deliberate diversion of electricity meant for their neighbourhood to nearby industrial establishments by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The aggrieved community members, who have endured persistent blackouts for several months, have expressed outrage over continued billing despite receiving minimal power supply. Many local businesses have reportedly collapsed while households struggle with the harsh realities of living without electricity in these challenging economic times.
In a strongly worded protest letter signed by the community chairperson, Bisiriyu Serifat, residents condemned the persistent power outages and alleged illegal electricity diversion to corporate entities in the vicinity.
“For many months now, we have been experiencing erratic electricity supply in our community despite the shocking increase in tariffs, which customers must pay promptly to avoid disconnection,” stated the letter obtained by our correspondent. “Information available to us indicates that power allocated to our Community Development Association is frequently diverted illegally to surrounding companies while our residents remain perpetually in darkness.”
The distressed residents have called for urgent intervention from the Ogun State Government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to investigate their claims against IBEDC.
Community spokesperson, Quadri Adelagun, voiced the collective frustration of residents regarding IBEDC’s apparent preferential treatment of industrial consumers at the expense of residential customers.
“We have been living without electricity for several months, yet IBEDC continues to deliver bills as though we enjoy uninterrupted power supply. How can they expect payment for services not rendered?” he questioned. “We’ve engaged with IBEDC officials numerous times, but they’ve consistently failed to address our concerns. They treat us with utter disregard.”
Adelagun further alleged that power meant for their community is being illegally traded to nearby companies. “On the rare occasions when we receive electricity, it lasts merely a few hours, while these companies enjoy consistent power supply,” he maintained.
However, IBEDC has vehemently denied these allegations. According to Ayodeji Bada, Senior Communication Officer for IBEDC in Ogun State, “Electricity supplied to local companies comes through private, dedicated sources that operate independently from IBEDC’s distribution network.”
Bada explained that Mogede community is classified under Band E customers, with billing based on NERC’s approved methodology. He attributed the irregular power supply to a rotational energy management system necessitated by inadequate energy allocation.
“Mogede community forms part of our customer base in the Ibafo area. Electricity supply to this region, serving Magboro, Ibafo 1, and Ibafo 2, is sourced from the Oke-Aro Transmission Station,” Bada clarified. “While the total load requirement for these communities stands at 45MW, we currently receive only 12MW from the transmission station. This shortfall necessitates a rotational supply system where the three service centers receive electricity on alternating days.”
Our correspondent learned that residents have threatened to escalate their protests if their concerns remain unaddressed in the coming weeks.
