Dozens of youths from Òṣogbo on Wednesday, stormed the premises of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, to protest the unbearable and epileptic power supply across the Osun State capital and neighbouring communities.
The protesters, who arrived in groups during the morning hours, chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards bearing various inscriptions.
They accused the electricity distribution company of neglecting consumers while continuing to issue estimated and prepaid bills despite prolonged power outages.
One of the protesters, who identified himself simply as Tunde, said residents and business owners had suffered repeated disruptions.
“We cannot continue to pay for darkness. Our businesses are collapsing and households are frustrated,” he stated.
Another demonstrator said many small-scale enterprises had been forced to rely heavily on generators to remain operational.
“Fuel prices are high, and we spend more running generators than we earn daily. We need stable electricity to survive,” she said.
The youths called on the company’s management to provide a clear explanation for the persistent outages and to present a definite timeline for improved supply.
Security personnel were deployed to the scene to prevent any breakdown of law and order, while officials of the company engaged a delegation of the protesters in discussions.
The protest comes amid growing public concern over power distribution challenges in the state, as residents continue to demand accountability and sustainable solutions to the recurring electricity supply problems.
Meanwhile, the Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc, IBEDC, had earlier informed its customers and critical stakeholders of the current low power supply being experienced in Osun Region.
In a public announcement on Tuesday, IBEDC said the development is a direct consequence of reduced energy allocation which has significantly constrained its ability to deliver optimal power supply to their customers.
The announcement reads, “This situation is a direct consequence of reduced energy allocation which has significantly constrained our ability to deliver optimal power supply to customers within the affected areas/communities:
“Iwo, Okinni, Owode-Ede, Cottage, Ede Township, Odo-Ori, Ejigbo and environs.
“Abeere, Oke-Baale, Oke-ljetu, Ita-Olokan, Dada Estate and environs.
“Ikirun, Iragbiji, Iree, Otan Ayegbaju, Iresi, Ila and environs.
“Isare, Ipetu-ljesa, Efon Alaaye, Ikeji-Ile and environs.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience this situation may cause.
“We are actively engaging with relevant industry stakeholders to facilitate enhanced energy allocation as soon as supply conditions, particularly gas availability to generation companies, improve.”
Angry Osogbo youths storm IBEDC over epileptic power supply
