Over N3 billion is Lost Monthly to Electricity Theft – Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company

By Rita Elenwo

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company IBED on Wednesday, October 11, said that over three billion naira is being lost every month to electricity thefts by some of its customers.

IBEDC said the customer fall into the categories of those who don’t make payments on their bills or are not paying the actual amount on their bills, those who bypass their meters, and some surcharge IBEDC among others.

Speaking in Ibadan at the Electricity Consumer Complaint Resolution Platform, the Head of IBEDC Customer Support, Ayoola Adio lamented that the company runs on deficit every month, and this is preventing the company from serving its amiable customers better.

Adio, who represented IBEDC’s managing director said the development is worrisome, and this necessitated cooperation between the company and electricity users to curb the menace.

He however appealed to people to pay their bills promptly, report any defaulter, and support IBEDC so as to have money to resolve issues affecting its customers.

Adio noted: “We are handling our customers well, we feel pains whenever customers come for complaints because our duty is to serve them better, the major complaint from our customers is billing and the only solution to that is metering but we are trying to bridge the gap.”

“We want to sensitised our customers to desist, they should know that there is now a provision under the law that punishes violators or defaulters.”

In his remark, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera urged electricity consumers to contribute their quota towards ensuring adequate electricity supply.

He described the event as a right step in the right direction, saying the platform would give consumers the opportunity to pour out their minds, and interface with IBEDC on challenges facing them.

He said: “This platform will make the service providers to understand that their business is not just provision of electricity, but feedback from customers and demonstrate empathy, it is in face of this we get better interaction on both side.”

“Customs experience in electricity has not improved over the years, if we fail to do the needful, we won’t be able to find solutions to challenges facing them.”