3 weeks power outage: Residents of Ifo, Onihanle threaten actions against IBEDC, TCN
Samuel Agbelusi
Residents of Ifo, Papalanto, Onihanle communities in Ogun state, have threatened to take necessary actions against the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) over three weeks of a power outage in their areas, which according to them has paralysed business activities while also worsening security situation in the affected area.
The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company(IBEDC) had earlier in a report published by EnergyDay revealed that the power outage witnessed in Ota, Papalanto, Arigbajo, Apomu, Ejio, Ifo town, and some parts of Lagos/Abeokuta expressway and environs, in Ogun state, was as a result of a technical fault that occurred on the 132/33KV Papalanto, managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN).
The representatives of the community in a conversation with EnergyDay raised concerns to question the level of commitment often professed by Nigerian DisCos (Power Distribution Companies) towards ensuring that their customers enjoy quality service.
Speaking with EnergyDay, Samson Adetula, a resident living in Ifo town, faulted the claim by the IBEDC. According to him, power has been restored to some of the communities that IBEDC claimed were affected by the outage.
He said, “Areas including Arigbajo, Papalanto and other areas within the transmission network areas have been energised, leaving a major part of Ota/Ifo communities in darkness with no assurance from the DisCo.
“Today(Sunday, August 28, 2022) will be the third week since we were disconnected from the national grid. We have registered complaints to IBEDC without any result.
A resident of Olugbade area, who preffered to be called Alausa (nickname), expressed total disappointment with the way the IBEDC is handling the issue. He noted that neighbouring communities including Ile-Ayo I and II have been enjoying a steady power supply, since the outage started.
Alausa revealed that IBEDC has grossly abused the rights of electricity customers under the Ifo distribution network area. He vowed that if the situation persisted, the community would escalate the issue to NERC.
Prince Adeniyi Emerald, another resident of the affected area warned IBEDC that the community would resist any attempt by the DisCo to make collection for the period of the outage.
She revealed that work is ongoing on the transmission network, attributing the issue to the TCN. She promised that IBEDC will get in touch with the affected communities as soon as the TCN completed work on the transmission infrastructure.
Mrs. Mbah, spokesperson of TCN, refused to comment or pick up her calls on this issue despite various attempts to reach her.
