Electricity meant for our C.D.A is often traded illegally to surrounding companies, while we are persistently left in darkness.
Mogede community residents in Ibafo, which is located in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have accused the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company of trading electricity IBEDC, that was intended for their community to companies in the surrounding area, so leaving them without electricity for a period of several months.
In addition, the residents expressed their displeasure with what they referred to as a “astronomical increase in billing” despite the protracted electrical outage.
The situation has rendered their businesses inoperable and has rendered living intolerable for a great number of homes.
Bisiriyu Serifat, the chairwoman of the community, signed a letter of protest for the members of the community. In the letter, the locals protested the ongoing blackout as well as the suspected theft of electricity that was intended for them by private firms.
“For many months now, we have been having epileptic electricity supply in our community despite the astronomical increase in billing, which must be paid as and when due by customers, otherwise disconnection follows.
“Information reaching us states that electricity meant for our C.D.A is often traded illegally to surrounding companies, while we are persistently left in darkness.
The locals asked that the Ogun State Government and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) begin an investigation into their charges against IBEDC as soon as possible.
A resident named Quadri Adelagun, who was speaking on behalf of the neighborhood, expressed his dissatisfaction with the purported prioritization of electricity delivery to private firms by IBEDC.
Adelagun said, “For several months now, we have been living in darkness, yet IBEDC keeps bringing us bills as if we are enjoying 24-hour power supply. How can we be paying for electricity we are not using?
“We are not getting value for our money. We have met with IBEDC officials several times, but they have refused to take any action. They continue to take us for granted, as if we are nobody.
“We strongly suspect that IBEDC is illegally trading the electricity meant for our community to other companies in the area. Whenever we get light, it is only for a few hours, but these companies enjoy steady power supply.”
However, the IBEDC has denied that it has diverted electricity that was intended for the community. They have stated that the electricity that is given to local businesses comes from private, dedicated sources that are not a part of the IBEDC grid.