Osogbo Blackout: Govt intervenes in electricity company, community controversy

The State Government of Osun intervened on Friday in the ongoing controversy between the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and some communities in the state’s capital city.

Mallam Adewale Rasheed, the spokesperson for the governor, disclosed this in a signed statement on June 23, 2023.

The dispute, which arises from prolonged electricity bill payments, has led to the company’s decision to disconnect power supply to those areas.

Sequel to the likely safety and economic disaster of persistent enmity between the two entities, the State Governor Ademola Adeleke calls for urgent resolution of the crisis.

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Highlighting the reason why the affected communities leaders and stakeholders from the IBEDC should meet, he reminds them that the state’s safety and operations are at risk.

“The State Government hereby calls on the two parties to consider an alternative dispute resolution method, as the blackout might also lead to increase in insecurity among the affected communities and shutdown of business activities,” the governor said.

He added by enjoining immediate restoration of supply while expressing the potential effect of further delay in time on the upcoming Eid-l-Kabir celebration.

“The IBEDC is encouraged to reconnect the communities to power supply while an immediate solution is found to the question of huge debt owed by the affected communities,” he mentioned.

Governor Adeleke also condemns the breakdown of law and protocols by protestants over the issue, states that such protest can be hijacked by unscrupulous elements in pursuance of their nefarious activities.

“We are committed to brokering a peaceful negotiation between the Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, and the Stakeholders from the affected communities,” he concludes.