IBEDC commissions Budo-Osho injection substation, target power supply for industries within Ilorin metropolis
Adedokun Theophilus
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has commissioned the Budo Osho 2x15MVA injection substation, to improve better power supply for Budo-Osho, F-Division, Tanke, Bubu, Oke-Odo, Basin and enhance power supply to industries in the Ilorin metropolis, Kwara state.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who was represented at the event by Mr. John Bello, Kwara State Commissioner for Special Duties in his remark appealed to the communities to take ownership of the facility.
The Kwara State Governor therefore charged the community to protect the facility from vandalism.
Mr. Kingsley Achife, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), in his keynote address, revealed that distribution infrastructure will boost power supply to 18,000 urban homes.
The IBEDC boss further said that the company is committed to providing a reliable power supply to boost the economy and make life more meaningful for the citizens of the state.
He therefore charged the communities to ensure security and surveillance around the facility by guarding it against vandals.
IBEDC lamented that staff members of the company had suffered a series of attacks, including kidnapping and harassment, among others while carrying out their duties.
Quite a lot of security incidents have been recorded in places like New Bussa, Pategi, and part of Kogi, He added that the company recorded the highest number of vandalisms in Kwara.
He said, “We suffered kidnapping, harassment of our workers, and beating that needed to stop. “Last month alone, we recorded about 20 cases of vandalism.“We want the communities to help us in this regard,” the MD said.
The IBEDC MD emphasised that energy theft is responsible for the increase in electricity tariffs, assuring that the cost would drop if electricity users in the country agreed to stop it.
Mr Achife, who decried the unwillingness of customers to pay electricity bills, urged them to have a change of attitude. He therefore appealed for prompt payment of electricity bills by the users in the area.
According to him, prompt payment of bills would enable the IBEDC to serve the customers better and invest more in infrastructure.
He said, “With this investment, we need people to take power from it and pay for it. We are hoping that industries will come around because what drives energy in the world are industries.”
The Managing Director of IBEDC noted that the injection substation is dedicated to fostering industrial development in the area.
Emphasizing the benefits for resident customers, the MD expressed the company’s motivation to invest in more distribution facilities to support the establishment of industries and production plants in the area.
Angela Olanrewaju, IBEDC Head of Corporate Service, said that the commissioning will take place at the site of the injection station along Judges Quarters in Ilorin, the state capital.
Olarenwaju further stated that the installation and commissioning of the injection station was part of the IBEDC’s efforts to enhance the power supply infrastructure in service areas.
She stated that the latest development will play a pivotal role in ensuring a stable power supply to the following communities: Budo-Esho, F Division, Tanke, Bubu, Oke-Odo, and Basin.
EnergyDay’s correspondent gathered that the Budo Osho 2x15MVA injection substation will significantly improve power supply for Budo-Osho, F-Division, Tanke, Bubu, Oke-Odo, Basin, and surrounding areas plagued by persistent power outages.