In Kwara, Workers from Ibadan Electricity Company Request Contributions for Multi-Million Naira Transformers, Ask Residents for Transportation Costs to Repair Faulty Ones

Investigative Report: Systematic Failures and Regulatory Violations at Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC)

In a detailed investigation by The Informant247, spearheaded by journalist Adisa Jaji-Azeez, glaring issues surrounding the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company’s (IBEDC) operations have been brought to light, revealing not only a neglect of consumer needs but also a blatant disregard for regulatory standards that govern the electricity distribution sector in Nigeria.

Decades of Darkness: A Community’s Struggle

For over a decade, the residents of Akuo/Gaa, located near Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, have been living in a state of forced darkness due to non-functional electricity infrastructure. The local chairman of the Akuo/Gaa Development Association, Isiak Opeyemi, expressed his frustration over IBEDC’s unfulfilled promises and indifference towards their plight. As a small-scale business owner specializing in local attire, Opeyemi’s enterprise has faced severe operational hurdles without electricity, echoing the broader community's struggles.

In 2021, the existing 200KV transformer failed, and upon seeking assistance from IBEDC, the community was informed that securing a new transformer was not within the company’s purview but that of the state government. With no forthcoming help, the community independently funded the repair of their transformer at a cost of N1.2 million, only for it to malfunction again after three months.

Forced to Fend for Themselves

By December 2023, after multiple failed attempts to solicit effective intervention from IBEDC, the residents pooled resources to purchase a new 630KV transformer for N8.8 million from De-Anguson Electrical (Nig) Ltd. Additional costs of N388,300 were incurred for auxiliary materials necessary for installation. Yet, the bureaucratic hurdles continued as IBEDC insisted on a formal donation of the transformer before it could be connected to the grid, further complicating the community’s efforts to restore power.

Similar experiences resonate through Ilorin West Residential Layout and Ita-Kudima, where communities repeatedly encounter IBEDC’s abdication of responsibility. In Ilorin West, a resident named Kabir reported that their appeals following a transformer fault were met with directives to replace the unit at their own expense, culminating in a community-funded purchase costing N6 million. 

In Ita-Kudima, Sheu Imam, the local chairman, described how their community not only self-financed the repair of their transformer but also provided equipment for IBEDC officials to perform necessary tests, a service one would expect to fall under the utility provider’s obligations.

Additional Burdens on Consumers

The narrative of neglect extends to Shooto community, where Habeeb AbdulRazaq, secretary of the local Youth Development Association, recounted a year without electricity after their transformer broke down. 

Despite facilitating and funding transportation for IBEDC officials to inspect the site, no remedial action was taken, leaving the community to handle repairs independently once again.

Regulatory Violations Exposed

The practices of IBEDC not only inconvenience consumers but also violate directives from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). NERC’s guidelines explicitly state that electricity consumers are not responsible for purchasing, replacing, or repairing primary electricity infrastructure. Moreover, the commission mandates that such issues should be addressed within 48 hours of a formal complaint. However, these mandates are routinely ignored by IBEDC, forcing residents into untenable positions where they must either endure extended outages or bear the cost of repairs and replacements that are legally the responsibility of the distribution company.

IBEDC’s Justifications and Consumer Reactions

When confronted with these allegations, IBEDC’s brand officer in Ilorin, Mr. Gbenga, defended the company's processes, attributing the issues to community impatience and informal repair efforts. He insisted that IBEDC does not require transformer donations through formal channels and that any community-led procurement should involve the company from the start to ensure procedural compliance.

Despite these claims, the overwhelming evidence presented by affected communities paints a different picture, suggesting systemic failures and a lack of accountability at IBEDC. The situation not only hampers economic activities but also erodes trust in a crucial public service provider, highlighting an urgent need for regulatory oversight and reform to ensure that consumer rights are upheld and that electricity distribution companies fulfill their obligations without undue burden on the populace.