By Dipo Olowookere
Electricity consumers under the coverage areas of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc have been assured of hitch-free services during the Easter celebration.
From Friday, April 2 to Monday, 5, 2021, Christians in Nigeria will join their counterparts across the globe to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
During these days, they will be at home as the federal government has declared Friday and next Monday as public holidays.
To enjoy the holidays, the management of IBEDC, which covers Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara and parts of Niger, Ekiti and Kogi States, has promised that consumers will get electricity supply during the period.
In a statement made available to Business Post on Thursday, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company, Mr John Ayodele, said a special rapid response team has been put together to reinforce and strengthen its service delivery during the Easter break.
“We recognise the fact that the demand for electricity always increases during the festive season, we have, therefore, positioned our technical crew to monitor and patrol the network to ensure faults are cleared as and when due and also mitigate the effect of any disruption to electricity supply,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.
However, Mr Ayodele warned against vandalism and tampering with equipment across the IBEDC network, noting that it could cause deaths or serious injuries.
He also advised consumers to ensure that their homes and business premises were properly wired and earthed only by approved technicians to ensure the safety of lives and property.
“It is illegal and dangerous for anyone to trade, live or work near electricity installations or even tamper with them, motorists are also admonished to avoid drinking under the influence of alcohol and observe traffic rules to prevent collision with electrical poles and other accidents,” the energy expert said.
He encouraged customers to take advantage of IBEDC’s hassle-free channels to pay bills and vend such as quick teller, etransact, Payarena, Jumia and ATM to avoid disconnection during the holiday period.
“Our offices will also remain opened during the public holidays from 9am to 3pm,” he assured, adding that, “Customer can also call our customer care line-0700123999 or email us at [email protected].”
Mr Ayodele wished all the company’s customers and Nigerians a safe and memorable Easter holiday, enjoining them to reflect on the lessons of piety, love and self-sacrifice for the good of others, which are the essences of the Easter celebration.
“These lessons of Easter and other injunctions on brotherly love, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, honesty, humility, justice, equity and fairness to all are of particular importance to us as a nation as we continue to strive for a better Nigeria,” he said.
Mr Ayodele also appealed for the strict observance of the COVID-19 precautionary measures as recommended by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) of wearing face masks in public places, regular washing of hands and use of sanitisers as well as physical distancing during the Easter celebrations.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya