Oyo govt. owes us N450 million – IBEDC reacts to closure of its offices

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc, on Wednesday faulted the closure of its offices by the Seyi Makinde-led Oyo state government, alleging that the government’s action was borne out of its huge indebtedness.

IBEDC explained that Oyo state government on Wednesday commenced the sealing of “our offices within the state over some suddenly contrived debts labelled revenue bills and personal income without due notification”.

The company described the action as retaliatory and illegal, stressing that the issue of revenue bills and personal income arising now is quite suspicious.

IBEDC,  in a statement by its Chief Operating Officer, Engr. John Ayodele, disclosed that the state government is owing the electricity distribution company a whopping consumption outstanding of N450million for three years

According to him, the company as part of efforts to get the outstanding paid initiated several engagements through correspondences and physical meetings, but all these efforts yielded no result .

“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 this underhand and arm twisting tactics , instead of paying the debt owed.

“This was not done in good faith and it would have damaging effect on the business and service delivery to our customers “, IBEDC said.

The company, however implored Governor Makinde to look into the matter in the interest of all concerned as this would further worsen the power challenges and pressure on residents and commercial activities within the state.