Residents of Mogede community in Ibafo, Ogun State, have raised serious allegations against the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for diverting electricity meant for their area to nearby private companies.
The community has been enduring prolonged blackouts for several months, leaving households and businesses in the dark, while local companies allegedly receive uninterrupted power supply.
The residents have also expressed outrage over what they describe as an “astronomical increase in billing” despite the lack of electricity. The persistent power outages have severely disrupted local businesses and made life unbearable for families relying on electricity for daily needs.
In a protest letter to the relevant authorities, the community leaders, led by chairperson Bisiriyu Serifat, have called for urgent intervention from the Ogun State Government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The letter highlighted the stark contrast between the ongoing blackouts in the community and the steady supply of power to nearby companies. “Electricity meant for our C.D.A is often traded illegally to surrounding companies, while we are persistently left in darkness,” the letter reads. This has fueled accusations that IBEDC is prioritizing the energy needs of businesses over residential consumers in the area.
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Speaking on behalf of the community, resident Quadri Adelagun voiced his frustration, stating, “We have been living in darkness for several months, yet we keep receiving bills as though we enjoy 24-hour power supply. How can we pay for electricity we aren’t using?” Adelagun added that despite several meetings with IBEDC officials, no concrete action had been taken to address their complaints.
IBEDC, however, has denied the allegations of diverting electricity, insisting that companies in the area are powered through private, dedicated sources that are separate from the IBEDC grid. Ayodeji Bada, a Senior Communication Officer for IBEDC in Ogun State, clarified that Mogede is part of a rotational energy management system due to limited power supply.
According to him, the electricity supply in the area is shared between several communities, and the available allocation from the Oke-Aro Transmission Station is insufficient to meet the total demand.
Despite IBEDC’s explanation, residents remain dissatisfied, accusing the company of neglecting their concerns. They have called for an immediate investigation into the alleged diversion of power and have demanded that the authorities take action to ensure fair and consistent electricity distribution.
