Offa: 4 IBEDC feeders get higher service bands after 2-year advocacy

Four electricity feeders serving Offa and neighbouring communities in Kwara State have been upgraded to higher service bands by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), following two years of advocacy by the Ibolo Community Welfare Initiative (ICWI).

The upgrade affects the Township, Owode, Igosun and Industrial feeders under IBEDC’s Offa Business Hub, leaving the Ojoku and Offa feeders yet to be migrated.

The development followed sustained engagements by ICWI with IBEDC’s Kwara Region in Ilorin and the company’s management in Ibadan over electricity supply, feeder classification and service delivery.

In a statement signed by ICWI President, Tajudeen Iwalola; Secretary, Shehu Olarenwaju; and Public Relations Officer, Yinka Ajibade, the group said the Township and Owode feeders had been moved to Band B B16H, which carries a minimum service expectation of 16 hours of electricity daily.

The migration also raises the tariff on the feeders to about N67.25 per kilowatt-hour. Township was previously on Band E E4H, while Owode was on Band D D8H.

Similarly, the Igosun and Industrial feeders have moved from Band D D8H, with a tariff of about N32.24 per kWh, to Band C C12H, attracting about N56.40 per kWh and a minimum service expectation of 12 hours daily.

ICWI said the service expectations remained subject to applicable regulatory, technical and operational conditions, stressing that the new classifications must translate into corresponding improvements in actual electricity supply.

The group also said consumers supplied through the relevant 33kV network, including those connected through the Amuyo transformer on the Okulu feeder, were now classified under Band A A20H, which carries a minimum service expectation of 20 hours daily.

It pledged to monitor electricity delivery under the classifications and engage IBEDC where actual supply falls short of the prescribed service levels.

While commending IBEDC for responding to concerns raised during the two-year engagement, ICWI urged the distribution company to complete work on the remaining Ojoku and Offa feeders.

The group said reliable electricity was critical to economic activities in Offa, particularly for artisans, manufacturers, traders, small and medium-sized businesses and other electricity-dependent enterprises.

According to it, improved supply would increase productive hours, reduce dependence on petrol and diesel generators and minimise disruptions to businesses and households.

ICWI also urged consumers to use electricity responsibly, embrace prepaid metering, pay bills promptly, protect power infrastructure and report faults and unsafe electrical conditions through approved IBEDC channels.

“Advocacy does not end with a change in service classification. The ultimate objective is to ensure that consumers receive reliable electricity service corresponding with their applicable classification,” the group said.

It said sustained engagement with IBEDC would continue on service delivery, the two outstanding feeders, metering, billing transparency and protection of electricity infrastructure.

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