Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc has restated its commitment towards eradication of billing by estimation and other corrupt practices that hinder effective distribution of electricity in all of its areas of franchise.
Managing Director of IBEDC, Fortunato Leynes made this disclosure at a Customer Forum on Tuesday in Ilorin, theKwara State Capital. The forum was aimed at creating an atmosphere for positive dialogue between IBEDC, its customers and other stakeholders so as to foster the development of best fit solutions for the identified problems and also ensure the company continually meets its customers’ needs and expectations.
Among the plans rolled out by the electricity distribution company is the engagement of an Australian company to produce customized meters that will give good service to customers and protect the interest of the electricity distributors when tampered with.
IBEDC franchise area comprises of 0yo,0gun, 0sun,0ndo and parts of Kwara, Kogi and Niger States.
According to Leynes, “The company wants to eradicate the billing on estimation. To ensure that every customer shall pay promptly and adequately for every kilowatts/hour consumed through accurate metering and billing, IBEDC has started its metter roll-out plan.”
“While we are still in the process of buying metres,” he went further to say, “our customers without meters can avail of meters through the Credited Advance Payment for Meter Improvement (CAPMI) Scheme”. Under this scheme, meter will be installed within 45 days. Moreover, IBEDC will refund to the customer the cost of the meter plus interest for a period of not more than 36 months.
The IBEDC boss promised that the company would employ the best hands and equipment to ensure that customers got the best service.
Many of the customers who spoke at the occasion highlighted some of the challenges they face in their homes and businesses to include prepaid meters paid for and not installed, distribution of crazy bills, corruption among staff and outright blackout running into days and months.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Kwara State,Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed, ably represented by Elder GarielYemi Jimoh from the Ministry of Energy and IT, while appealing for improved electricity supply in the state,noted that his state has so far invested over N6billion in the energy sector and therefore deserve the best. The governor also enjoined residents to take seriously the issue of security especially against the vandalisation of electrical installations in the state.
Also in his own comments, the Commissioner of Police,Kwara State Command, Mr Ambrose Aisabor advised consumers to constantly pay their bills as is the common practice all over the world and avoid taking the laws into their hands when there are power outages. “Don’t destroy electricity installations when there are power outages and follow due processes in your demands,” the CP enjoined consumers.
