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Following growing tension between officials of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and residents of Otan-Ayegbaju, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State, the company promised that prepaid meters would be distributed across the community to resolve billing discrepancies.
Officials had held a community meeting to resolve an ongoing dispute over electricity billing and customer harassment.
The meeting, called to address growing unrest, followed allegations from community members that utility workers were illegally disconnecting electricity supplies without following due process.
Speaking at his palace, the Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju, Oba Lukman Ojo-Fadipe, expressed strong disappointment over recurring clashes between residents and power distribution workers.
Warning against activities that could unleash chaos, the traditional ruler noted that while community leaders have worked tirelessly to defuse the growing tensions, a lasting solution must be implemented immediately.
Oba Ojo-Fadipe urged residents to maintain peace and warned parents to stop their children from assaulting IBEDC staff in the exercise of their lawful duties.
Furthermore, Chief Emmanuel Adeleke, of Saloro in Otan-Ayegbaju, criticized the estimated billing practices of the IBEDC, saying: “I had no electricity supply for three months, but the energy bills kept coming without interruption.”
He demanded that the utility provider stop charging customers for unused energy.
Responding on behalf of IBEDC, Adesegun Alaketu, urged customers to settle outstanding bills, promising that
Adesegun explained that customers with outstanding debts on their pre-existing meters could settle their balances or accept a structured payment plan built into their new prepaid meters.
“Homes with existing meters will receive prepaid units at no cost. However, unmetered properties must apply for and pay for their meters upfront, with the cost reimbursed over time through monthly energy tokens,” Adesegun said.
Addressing concerns over the tariff increase, he revealed that Otan-Ayegbaju had been upgraded to “Band A” status because the area met the required daily supply thresholds.
He appealed to residents to practice energy conservation, pointing out that many households leave outdoor lights on during daylight hours.
He further clarified that IBEDC does not bill properties based on physical size and reiterated that the company consistently issues monthly refund tokens to customers who purchased their meters under previous schemes.
