IBEDC Moves To Restore Power To Ilesa

The Chief Operating Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Engr John Ayodele has explained that not every part of Ilesa would have electricity as the company is awaiting delivery of equipment needed to rehabilitate the Oke-Omiru injection substation that directly supplies power to the ancient town.

He said the restoration of electricity would be in phases while the rehabilitation of the substation lasts.

“We have ordered the major equipment required to rehabilitate the Oke -Omiru Injection substation that was damaged during the massive destruction and carnage that occurred at Ilesha”.

He further said that IBEDC’s administrative and technical team arrived Ilesha last week to  begin initial rehabilitation and renovation works like clean -up of  the damaged offices,  furniture and systems  replacement and other critical infrastructure necessary for staff and service to resume  as all the offices that service Ilesha were destroyed during the ill- fated protest, and to provide skeletal service.

“On the technical end, while we await the delivery of the equipment needed to rehabilitate the Oke -Omiru Injection substation, we are simultaneously exploring the restoration of power temporarily to some parts of Ilesha through one of the neighbouring substations, which we have ascertained is in good condition. The power restoration will be in phases as our technical team progress with the palliative works.

Responding to news making the rounds that IBEDC is deliberating refusing to restore power to Ilesha and threats from some advocacy groups, Engr. Ayodele stated that “it is understandable that stories and so called threats would be peddled from uninformed people to stir rancour, because the Governor and leadership of the Ilesha people that have been interfacing with IBEDC are aware of all the efforts to restore power. ”

“For this, we always counsel and appeal to communities never to resort to violence, vandalism and destruction of power infrastructures and installations during protests, because the sad occurrence at Ilesha resulted in destruction of infrastructure worth over N200 Million. Of course with the already limited financial resources available and other considerations it will never be easy to restore power when unfortunate incidents  like this occur, as the funding availability to all Discos are very limited.

“However, the appeal is for customers in Ilesha to reciprocate the gestures by paying their bills as and when due. Efforts should be made to also pay all outstandings due to enable IBEDC to remain floating,” he said.