March 28, 2024

IBEDC loses over N50m  to power cables theft, vandalism monthly- COO

Solomon Ezeme

The recurring cases of power theft and vandalism of power infrastructure within the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company’s (IBEDC) network have repeatedly resulted in a loss of over N50 million each month. This  was revealed in a statement obtained by Energyday from Busolami Tunwase, IBEDC’s Media Relations Officer, on Tuesday.

According to the IBEDC, the issues have continued to hamper its ability to supply electricity to many businesses and homes within its network.

The electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) bemoaned the huge loss, while also noting that the activities of the criminals have “incapacitated” it. IBEDC said vandalism of its facilities is disrupting power supply to several businesses and firms operating within its franchise.

Engr. John Ayodele, IBEDC Chief Operating Officer (COO), in the statement, stated that IBEDC losses more than N50 million monthly to vandals through stolen cables, damaged transformers, and other network infrastructure.

Citing a recent case of theft, the IBEDC COO said that some unknown civilians and armed men cladded in Police and Civil Defence uniforms invaded Mokola Round-about in Ibadan at night and carted away 33kV underground cables belonging to the DisCo, on the June 29, 2022.

“The stolen cables feed Agodi Injection Substation, where Government House, the State Secretariat, Agodi and majority of Bodija area and thousands of other urban customers are serviced .

“This means the economic power and livelihood of these people have been grossly disrupted, as we are incapacitated by the stolen cables to meet the supply demand. And this is just one of the various instances of the nefarious activities of vandals within our franchise,” he said.

While urging its customers to be sensitive about and guard electrical installations within their environments, especially at night, to avoid sudden power outages, he noted that the IBEDC will presently not respond to calls by any community for the replacement of vandalized installations.

“We implore all residents and customers to report any act suspected to be vandalism to the nearest Police Station, Civil Defence and the Department of State Service.

“IBEDC does not operate late nights and all activities that occur after 8pm should be suspected and reported accordingly”, he noted.