Officials of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) recently met with residents of Otan-Ayegbaju in Osun State to address growing concerns over estimated billing and alleged illegal disconnections. The town hall meeting was held following complaints by residents that some utility workers were disconnecting customers without following due process. The meeting aimed to resolve disputes and provide a platform for residents to express their concerns.
The Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju, Oba Lukman Ojo-Fadipe, expressed concern over recurring confrontations between residents and electricity workers. He urged residents to maintain peace and cautioned parents against allowing their children to assault IBEDC personnel carrying out lawful duties. The monarch's intervention highlights the need for a peaceful resolution to the disputes and the importance of respecting the rights of both residents and utility workers.
Chief Emmanuel Adeleke, the Saloro of Otan-Ayegbaju, criticised IBEDC's estimated billing system, citing instances where residents were charged for power they did not consume. He mentioned that he did not have electricity supply for three months, yet energy bills kept arriving without interruption. Adeleke's concerns reflect the frustrations of many residents who feel that the estimated billing system is unfair and inaccurate.
Responding on behalf of IBEDC, Adesegun Alaketu urged customers to clear outstanding bills and announced plans to deploy prepaid meters in the community to address billing disputes. He said customers with old meters and outstanding debts could either settle their balances or agree to structured repayment plans to be incorporated into their new prepaid meters. This move aims to provide a more accurate and transparent billing system.
Alaketu further explained that houses with existing meters will receive prepaid units at no cost, while unmetered properties must apply and pay for their meters upfront, with the cost refunded to them over time through monthly energy tokens. This approach is expected to encourage residents to install meters and reduce disputes over estimated billing.
The meeting also revealed that Otan-Ayegbaju had been upgraded to Band A status due to meeting the required daily electricity supply threshold. Alaketu urged residents to conserve energy and clarified that IBEDC does not bill properties on the basis of physical size. The upgrade reflects IBEDC's efforts to improve service delivery and provide reliable electricity supply to the community.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to bring relief to residents of Otan-Ayegbaju, who have been affected by estimated billing and alleged illegal disconnections. The deployment of prepaid meters and the upgrade to Band A status are expected to improve the overall electricity supply experience in the community. IBEDC's efforts to engage with residents and address their concerns demonstrate a commitment to customer satisfaction and service improvement.
Key points
- IBEDC to deploy prepaid meters in Otan-Ayegbaju to address billing disputes.
