Ex-Gov Olunloyo’s Wife, Others Protest: No Light, Crazy Bills

The wife of a former Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Aderonke Olunloyo, joined thousands of residents of Felele area of Ibadan on Wednesday to protest against the non-availability of electricity and “crazy bills” from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

The protest came five days before IBEDC is to appear before the Oyo State Assembly, which summoned it over allegations of arbitrary billing, hoarding of prepaid meters and poor power supply.

The protesters blocked the road leading to the community from the Challenge end of the main road, while five police vans were stationed in the community to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

Leader of the police team, Chinedu Oko, said although the protest was peaceful, it was wrong to block a public road, while also persuading the protesters to channel their grievances to the relevant authorities.

Olunloyo told Punch that IBEDC had failed in its responsibility to supply electricity to the Felele area, while neighbouring communities enjoyed electricity.

She said it was a situation that had persisted for more than 10 years.

“The last time we had electricity was two months ago and it lasted for only a few minutes. When we complained, we were told that electricity would not be supplied to the area for six months.

“We also heard from a reliable source that electricity meant for the area was diverted to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for companies on the expressway.

“There are more than 200,000 people in Felele, including artisans that depend on electricity for their work. With the absence of electricity and petrol, they have been idle. Don’t forget that an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. We provided land for the electricity company to place its transformer, but we are not enjoying anything in return. I once paid N8,000 electricity bill without getting value for it.”

Leader of the community youths, Akinade Asuni, alleged that IBEDC diverted the power meant for companies in the area while bringing only crazy bills to the people of the area.

He said, “We look around us and see electricity daily, but we don’t have electricity in Felele. Despite this, the bills we get monthly are outrageous. We met the management of IBEDC last week, but nothing has been done.”

Reacting to the allegation against it through a statement by the IBEDC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Williams, the company said after meeting with elders in the community, its workers would return to the area to ensure proper distribution of electricity.

I wonder why some of the DISCOs don't do the right thing unless people waste time to protest.