Ede electricity supply dispute eases as IBEDC reopens office

 

Normal activities have resumed at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, office in Ede, Osun State, following mediation involving youth leaders and security agencies after a brief shutdown triggered by power supply complaints.

The reopening came after a meeting held on Tuesday between IBEDC officials, executives of the Federation of Ede Youth Development Association, FEYDA, and relevant law enforcement agencies, aimed at easing tension in the town.

Residents had earlier witnessed unrest on Tuesday when youths under the umbrella of FEYDA forced IBEDC staff out of their office and locked the premises.

It was gathered that the youths were protesting the prolonged and erratic electricity supply to their Ede town, a development which has also affected their homes and businesses.

Confirming the development, IBEDC’s Regional Head for Osun, Ifeanyi Ikeji, said “the company used the engagement to clarify the challenges behind the reduced supply in Ede and other parts of its network.”

He explained that “the situation was linked to limitations on the national grid, which have led to lower energy allocation to distribution companies nationwide. Our supply to customers is directly dependent on what we receive from the national grid.”

According to him, “the shortfall has not only affected Ede but also other towns within IBEDC’s franchise areas, including parts of Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Ekiti, Niger and Kogi states.”

Ikeji added that despite the constraints, “the company remains committed to managing the available load transparently and improving supply where possible. We will continue to optimise the limited allocation to serve Ede better.”

He noted that IBEDC has agreed to maintain regular communication with FEYDA and other community stakeholders to provide timely updates on supply conditions and ongoing challenges.

On their part, FEYDA leaders said their earlier action was intended to draw attention to the impact of poor electricity supply on the local economy and small businesses in the town.

In a statement signed by FEYDA president, Afolabi Waliu Abiola, the group said “previous engagements with IBEDC had not yielded lasting improvements, prompting the temporary shutdown of the office.

“The decision was taken to protect residents from continued hardship while power supply remained unreliable. Businesses had suffered losses due to frequent outages.”

He, however, confirmed that the association agreed to reopen the office following assurances from IBEDC and the intervention of security agencies