The leadership of the Federation of Iwoland Students’ Union (FILSU) has met with the management of IBEDC and the promised better power supply is in sight. The student union body after a press release on Friday, March 5, 2021 that urged people in Iwo land to remain calm that things will be sorted out.
During the tense but successful meeting with the leadership of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) led by Engr. Abiodun Ogun held on Saturday, March 6, 2021, the reasons for the supply of poor power supply were explained and suggested solutions for the improvement of power were highlighted.
FILSU President said: “Just as we promised, the leadership of FILSU in furtherance to our ongoing consultation on the epileptic power supply and the need to improve the situation, today, met with the leadership of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), led by Engr. Abiodun Ogun, the Technical Engineer in charge of Ede Distribution Unit of IBEDC, comprising of all Local Government Areas in Osun West and also in the team from IBEDC are Mrs Giwa Z.A, who is the Oke-Odo Service Manager and Babatunde Muraina, Feesu Service Manager among others. During our hot but successful meeting, some salient points as regards the reasons for the problems were explained and we feel there is a need to inform the general public about it. The issues are:
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1. The new electricity regime in Nigeria has changed for some months now. We now have 5 bands of electricity distribution, BAND A which has a daily average power supply of between 20-24 hours; BAND B which has a daily average power supply of between 16-20 hours; BAND C which has a daily average power supply of between 12-16 hours; BAND D which has a daily average power supply of between 8-12 hours and BAND E with less than 8 hours supply of power daily. The amount currently being charged for each of the BANDS are:
BAND A – ₦62.33/unit.
BAND B – ₦57.33/unit.
BAND C – ₦53.33/unit.
BAND D – ₦24.97/unit.
Iwo currently falls under the BAND D, which means that we cannot have power for more than an average of 12 hours/day at the moment.
For better clarity, this means that if a home in Iwo uses 200-unit of power in a month, such home will only have to pay 200×24.97= ₦4,994 (minus VAT) for that particular month.
The distribution of BANDS is not the making of IBEDC or the Ede/Iwo Unit of IBEDC, but that of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which was based on several factors including but not limited to industrialization level of a community, economic activities of a community, urbanisation and facilities to sustain each band.
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We, however, resolved that:
1. In the month of February 2021, Iwo had a daily average supply of 9.53 hours of power and since the maximum of the average 12 hours (on BAND D) of power has not been reached, there’s room for improvement within the current BAND D distribution Iwo is currently connected to. The IBEDC on that note gave an assurance that for the month of March 2021, the average daily power supply will be 11.5 hours, which is almost a 2-hour improvement compared to what was supplied in February.
2. We inquired about the possibility of moving up the ladder from the current BAND D to BAND B. IBEDC in their response said it is very much possible, however, it must be a collective decision of the entire community as the upward change of BAND will lead to a better power supply and consequently lead to a significant hike in electricity bill. So, the entire community must be ready, agree and cooperate in fulfilling the financial responsibilities and obligations associated with BAND B.
3. In any case, if the community agrees with the (2) above, it will take a few weeks to get the facility ready to switch from BAND D to BAND B. However, that should not take more than 8-weeks at the very most.
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4. On the issue of overcharging some people, especially people using Postpaid Meter, where their ‘Present Meter Readings’ as stated on their electricity bill exceeds the actual meter readings as indicated on their Postpaid Meter, both sides agreed that such is WRONG UNFAIR, UNJUST AND IT’S TANTAMOUNT TO EXTORTION and anyone with such issue should immediately lodge a complaint with the IBEDC or the leadership of FILSU and it will be redressed forthwith.
5. For those using analog meter/direct connection, the MAXIMUM unit they can be charged is 176-unit for those connected with Odoori/Feesu power supply unit and 166-unit for Iwo Township power supply unit. This means that the maximum amount they can be charged is 176×24.97= N4,395 and 166×24.97= 4,145 respectively. However, this figure is EXCLUSIVE OF VAT. Anyone in Iwo that falls within this category and is charged beyond the figure above can lodge a complaint with the leadership of FILSU for immediate redress.
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6. The peace we enjoy in Iwo should be of utmost importance to everyone. Any demonstration that can lead to violence or carnage must be avoided as we can always resolve any issue through consultation and dialogue.
“This is the feedback on the current situation of things as to the power supply in Iwo as promised. Our resolve to ensure the situation improves remain unshaken and we are still continuing with our consultations and engagement with important stakeholders. We will equally set-up a monitoring committee which will ensure that our resolutions as stated above is followed up to the latter.”
“On a final note, we urge our people to continue to be calm and be law-abiding while we work towards improving the situation.” Adepoju Saheed Adewale concluded.
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