Residents of Atoyebi Estate, Konda Low Cost Estate, Temidire and surrounding areas in Ilobu, Irepodun local government area of Osun State set for a showdown with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, over refusal to replace a stolen Core Armoured Cables and Cable logs from a 33kv transformer in their area.
The residents, who lamented the economic impact the lack of power in the area have caused, accused the IBEDC officials from Ede District of not meeting up to their responsibility.
One of the residents and President of Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Alhaji Daud Adebisi-Balogun told our Correspondent that for almost a month since the items valued at N500,000 have been stolen, the IBEDC has not only refused to replace it, but also asked the communities affected to contribute the sum and purchase another one.
Adebisi-Balogun added that IBEDC staff from Ede during a meeting with the community Representatives also told them that if they buy the Cable, they must write a letter donating the it to the IBEDC before it will be installed. He said that statement made them believe that the distribution company is not ready to do the needful.
“We’re surprised that despite generating millions of naira from the communities, IBEDC has refused to replace an item of N500,000 that was stolen by unknown vandals. To worsen the matter, IBEDC staff from Ede District told us that if we want to buy the Cable, we should be ready to donate it to the IBEDC by writing a letter before it can be installed.
“This is highly barbaric and absurd. The impunity displayed by this corporate body is becoming alarming. We call on Nigerians to help persuade IBEDC to perform its responsibility. The hardship inflicted on small businesses owners in the cannot be measured as many businesses have shut down due to unending darkness that has become synonymous to the area.” Adebisi-Balogun said.
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The community leader added that youths in the area are angry over the development and they may be pushed to wall if provoked further.
Reacting to the development, Kikelomo Owoeye, the Regional Communication Officer of IBEDC, Osun region admitted that the areas have been in darkness since May 22nd when some unknown vandals carted away Core Armoured Cables and Cable logs.
She said the matter was reported at the Ilobu division of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and it’s still under investigation.
She however, appealed to the communities to exercises some patience.
She said, “At no point were the communities made to contribute money to purchase the vandalised equipment.
“However, the NSCDC are still investigating the incident and they are on the trail of the vandals.
“We however further engaged the communities to exercise some level of patience while efforts are being made to replace the stolen items.
“We equally wish to appeal to our customers to support in safeguarding the transformers in their Communities at curbing the incidence of vandalism on the equipment to prevent the customers from being thrown into total blackout.”
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Osun State Command of NSCDC, Daniel Adigun promised to get back to our Correspondent. But he has not done that till the time of filing this report.
