Youths in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Friday, took to the streets to protest what they described as “crazy electricity bills” issued by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The protest, which began as early as 8:00 am, saw scores of young people converge at Bareke roundabout, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with messages such as: “Omu-Aran Say No to Band A,” “Mr. Badmus Must Go,” “Bring us Back to Band C,” “Revert Omu-Aran to Band C,” and “Omu-Aran Youths Have Spoken Loudly.”
The aggrieved protesters accused Mr. A.O. Badmus, IBEDC’s Business Manager in the district, of being responsible for the abrupt shift in the community’s billing classification from Band C to Band A, which triggered a significant increase in charges for March.
They argued that this change was unjustified given the community’s ongoing electricity supply issues.
“The community is presently facing challenges of electricity supply which needed to be resolved before the sudden movement to Band A,” the protesters noted.
Bills sighted during the protest ranged between N41,000 and N47,000, a stark contrast to the previous monthly bills of N10,000 to N15,000.
The peaceful demonstration extended across various parts of the town, including Olomu market, Latinwo market area, the Olomu palace, and the IBEDC district office at Omu-Aran City Complex.
The protest caused significant traffic congestion along major roads in the town.
In a formal statement, signed by Mr. Niyi Adeyeye, President of the Omu-Aran Development Association, and Elder Ranti Adebayo, Secretary, the youth demanded the immediate reversion to Band C, repair and replacement of faulty transformers, improved power supply, and the suspension of Band A charges.
While receiving the protesters, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, urged the youth to remain calm and assured them that the community leaders were already engaging IBEDC officials to resolve the matter.
Responding to the development, Mr. Gbenga Ajiboye, IBEDC’s Communication Officer in Kwara State, said that tariff classification was under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
He explained that, “Electricity consumers enjoying 20 hours of supply are regulated by NERC to be on Band A in which the Omu-Aran community is presently categorised.”
Ajiboye further noted that the billing issue was essentially “a business issue between buyers and sellers,” and assured that discussions were ongoing to find a peaceful resolution.
