Offa: 2-year advocacy pays off as four IBEDC feeders move to higher service bands

Two years of sustained advocacy by the Ibolo Community Welfare Initiative (ICWI) have yielded results, with four of the six electricity feeders under the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Offa Business Hub in Kwara State moving to improved service bands.

The development followed a series of engagements between ICWI, the IBEDC Kwara Region in Ilorin and the company’s management in Ibadan over concerns about electricity supply, feeder classification and service delivery in Offa and neighbouring communities.

In a statement issued and signed by ICWI President Tajudeen Iwalola; Secretary Mr Shehu Olarenwaju; and Public Relations Officer Mr Yinka Ajibade, the initiative said the Township, Owode, Igosun and Industrial feeders had been migrated to higher service classifications, while the Ojoku and Offa feeders remained outstanding.

Under the new classification, the Township and Owode feeders have moved to Band B B16H, with a tariff of approximately N67.25 per kilowatt-hour, from Band E E4H and Band D D8H respectively.

The Igosun and Industrial feeders, previously under Band D D8H at approximately N32.24 per kWh, have also moved to Band C C12H, with a tariff of about N56.40 per kWh.

The new classifications carry minimum service expectations of 16 hours daily for Band B B16H and 12 hours for Band C C12H, subject to applicable regulatory, technical and operational conditions.

ICWI, however, stressed that the improvement in classification must translate into corresponding improvement in actual electricity supply.

The initiative also clarified that consumers supplied through the relevant 33kV network, including those connected through the Amuyo transformer on the Okulu feeder, are now classified under Band A A20H.

Band A A20H carries a minimum service expectation of 20 hours daily, subject to applicable conditions.

The initiative said it would continue to monitor electricity delivery under the various classifications and engage IBEDC where actual supply falls short of the applicable service expectations.

While commending IBEDC for responding to concerns raised over the past two years, ICWI urged the distribution company to complete work on the remaining Ojoku and Offa feeders.

It said reliable electricity was critical to the economic development of Offa, particularly for artisans, manufacturers, traders, small and medium-sized businesses, commercial establishments and households.

According to the group, improved power supply could increase productive hours, reduce dependence on petrol and diesel generators, minimise business disruptions and improve the operating environment for electricity-dependent enterprises.

The initiative also appealed to consumers to complement improved electricity supply with responsible energy consumption.

It urged residents and businesses to switch off lights and electrical appliances when not in use, particularly unnecessary daytime lighting, saying avoidable consumption placed additional demand on the power supply system.

ICWI further encouraged consumers to embrace prepaid metering as a means of gaining greater control over electricity consumption and expenditure.

It said wider adoption of prepaid meters could provide consumers with clearer information about their energy usage while reducing reliance on estimated billing and improving transparency between customers and IBEDC.

The initiative also called on consumers to pay their bills promptly where applicable, protect electricity infrastructure and report faults, damaged facilities 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.

ICWI expressed appreciation to the IBEDC Kwara Region and the company’s management in Ibadan for engaging with its concerns, stressing that sustained dialogue between electricity consumers and the distribution company remained essential to resolving outstanding challenges.

The group said it would continue to engage IBEDC on service delivery, the two remaining feeders, metering, billing transparency, infrastructure protection and responsible electricity consumption.

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