Aduragbemi Omiyale
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Oyo State government has been accused of being indebted to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc to the tune of N450 million.
In a statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer of IBEDC, Mr John Ayodele, said the debt was accrued by the state government over a period of three years.
On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, officials of the state government sealed some offices of the energy distribution company in the state over alleged failure to make some payments to the government.
In the statement, Mr Ayodele claimed the action of the Mr Seyi Makinde-led administration was suspicious and looks like victimisation as it is “retaliatory and illegal,” because it was done “without due notification.”
The COO of IBEDC said the company had in the past made efforts to get the N450 million debt from the state government without any meaningful outcome, which forced the cut of power supply to the government.
“No business in this country can run successfully with such a huge outstanding, the power we distribute to customers must be accounted for and paid for.
“We have no choice but to disconnect the Oyo State Secretariat, so it is worrisome to see that the government has sealed off our offices with these underhand and arm twisting tactics, instead of paying the debt owed.
“This was not done in good faith and it would have a damaging effect on the business and service delivery to our customers, Mr Ayodele explained.
He appealed to Mr Makinde to look into the matter in the interest of all concerned as this would further exacerbate the power challenges and pressure on residents and commercial activities within the state.
IBEDC engages in essential services to the public and the effect of this arm twisting tactics can at best be imagined if not quickly arrested.
