By Adeyinka Adeniran
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said various identified factors are contributing to the current state of poor power supply within its franchise areas. The situation, the company recognised, has resulted in disruptions and inconveniences for residents and businesses.
When contacted, The Lead, Media Relations, Busolami Tunwase said myriads of challenges are responsible for the poor supply but that the company is working round the clock to ensure improvement in no distance time.
According to Tunwase, low supply of gas to generating companies (Gencos) which has led to a gradual decrease in available generation into the grid as well as scheduled maintenance activities conducted by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in January and March, 2024 necessitated planned outages in specific areas of her network
Additionally, she said vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructures remains a major issue negatively impacting power supply, lamenting that the company has been particularly confronted with escalating cases of vandalism, with over 40 incidents recorded in 2024 alone.
She also identified payment apathy from customers as a major challenge to adequate supply of power, among others.
However, the company said, despite the challenges, it remained optimistic that the poor supply will soon become a thing of the past as the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has taken urgent steps to address the gas supply issue.
Tunwase said measures put in place to tackle the challenges of energy theft and vandalism, is that the company is currently partnering with security agencies to reduce the vice, but urged customers to remain vigilant, protect electrical infrastructures within their communities and report any suspicious activities promptly.
Additionally, she said the company is implementing comprehensive measures to improve and strengthen her infrastructure in order to efficiently distribute the power it receives from the grid.
She added that, the company is also urgently exploring alternate sources of power to enable her meet the power supply needed within her franchise.
She further appeal to customers to please pay for whatever hours of supply they consumed in addition to the outstanding bills to enable IBEDC survive and become sustainable, adding that this is the guarantee for improved power supply.
