The management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has appealed for patience from residents in Osun State amid persistent electricity outages affecting many communities.
At a meeting held on Thursday in Osogbo, IBEDC officials engaged civil society groups, security agencies and community leaders to discuss the worsening power supply in the state.
Speaking during the meeting, the company’s Lead Media Relations officer, Daniel Adugbo, explained that the irregular electricity supply was largely due to reduced gas production, which has limited the amount of power generated nationwide.
According to him, most power plants in Nigeria rely on gas to generate electricity, and the recent decline in gas supply to generating companies has significantly affected electricity distribution companies, including IBEDC.
He noted that the company is currently rationing the electricity it receives from energy producers in order to distribute the limited supply to customers.
“What is happening is a national issue,” Adugbo said, explaining that the shortage of gas supply to power plants has led to reduced electricity generation, which in turn affects distribution across the country.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Osogbo Regional Head of IBEDC, Ifeanyi Ikeji, said the inadequate power supply from generation companies has not only disrupted electricity distribution but has also affected the company’s revenue and placed additional pressure on its infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the convener of Nigerians for Good Governance, Wole Oladapo, called on IBEDC to work with government agencies to address energy theft, which he said contributes to the challenges in the sector.
Oladapo suggested stricter penalties, including disconnecting households found guilty of energy theft for up to five years, as a possible deterrent.
He also commended the company for engaging with stakeholders, noting that open dialogue could help ease tensions among residents who have been frustrated by the persistent outages.
However, about 40 communities in Osogbo, under the umbrella of United Communities, accused IBEDC of intimidation and misinformation following their demand for improved electricity supply.
The communities said they had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum to the company after staging a peaceful protest over worsening power supply in their areas.
According to their representatives, electricity supply deteriorated further during the period, with some neighbourhoods receiving less than nine hours of power throughout the entire week.
The group also alleged that IBEDC filed a petition with the Department of State Services in the state, claiming that the protest was violent and that its staff were harassed.
But the communities rejected the allegation, insisting that the protest was peaceful and conducted under the supervision of the Nigeria Police Force, with no reports of violence or destruction of property.
