The Ibolo Community Welfare Initiative (ICWI) has announced that four out of six electricity feeders under the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Offa Business Hub in Kwara State have been upgraded to higher service bands. This development is a result of a two-year advocacy effort by ICWI, which engaged with IBEDC's Kwara Region and management in Ibadan over concerns about electricity supply, feeder classification, and service delivery in Offa and neighboring communities.
The upgraded feeders include Township, Owode, Igosun, and Industrial, which have been migrated to higher service classifications. The Township and Owode feeders have moved to Band B B16H, with a tariff of approximately N67.25 per kilowatt-hour, while the Igosun and Industrial feeders have moved to Band C C12H, with a tariff of about N56.40 per kWh. These new classifications carry minimum service expectations of 16 hours daily for Band B B16H and 12 hours for Band C C12H.
The ICWI has stressed that the improvement in classification must translate into corresponding improvement in actual electricity supply. The initiative will continue to monitor electricity delivery under the various classifications and engage IBEDC where actual supply falls short of the applicable service expectations. The group also commended IBEDC for responding to concerns raised over the past two years.
The upgraded feeders are expected to improve the economic development of Offa, particularly for artisans, manufacturers, traders, small and medium-sized businesses, commercial establishments, and households. Reliable electricity is critical to increasing productive hours, reducing dependence on petrol and diesel generators, minimizing business disruptions, and improving the operating environment for electricity-dependent enterprises.
The ICWI has appealed to consumers to complement improved electricity supply with responsible energy consumption. The group urged residents and businesses to switch off lights and electrical appliances when not in use, particularly unnecessary daytime lighting, and to adopt prepaid metering as a means of gaining greater control over electricity consumption and expenditure.
The initiative also called on consumers to pay their bills promptly where applicable, protect electricity infrastructure, and report faults, damaged facilities, and unsafe electrical conditions through approved IBEDC channels. The ICWI expressed appreciation to IBEDC Kwara Region and management in Ibadan for engaging with its concerns and emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue between electricity consumers and the distribution company.
The ICWI will continue to engage IBEDC on service delivery, the two remaining feeders, metering, billing transparency, infrastructure protection, and responsible electricity consumption. The group's efforts aim to ensure that consumers receive reliable electricity service corresponding with their applicable classification, and it remains committed to advocating for improved electricity supply in Offa and neighboring communities.
Key points
- Four IBEDC feeders upgraded to higher service bands after 2-year advocacy by ICWI.
- Upgraded feeders expected to improve economic development in Offa.
- ICWI to continue monitoring electricity delivery and engaging IBEDC.
