IBARAPA LEADERS MET IBDC MANAGEMENT, HOPE FOR IMPROVED POWER SUPPLY WITHIN ONE WEEK

A team of Ibarapa Leaders led by Hon Bimbo Adepoju, (former Chairman Ibarapa East Local Government), Hon Fatai Salau (former Commissioner and former Chairman Ibarapa North Local Government), Hon. Akinyemi Akinlabi (former Chairman, Ibarapa Central) and Mr. Sakiru Adejumobi on friday, 3rd May, 2024 held an important closed door meeting with the management of IBDC at their Oyo State Head office, Ibadan. According to the report filled by Asako news, Ibarapa Traditional rulers were scheduled for the meeting, but couldn’t attend due to logistics reasons.

Part of the IBDC team that received representatives of Ibarapa leaders was led by Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Ademola Adewunmi, The Regional Manager for Oyo State, Mr Oluwasogo Olufayo, Mr Gbenga Adelusi, Business Manager, Engr.
Talabi Tajudeen, the Technical Engineer for Apata / Eruwa Mr Agboola O.A, Distribution Manager for Eruwa and Ibarapa zone.

Two major appeals were made by the Ibarapa Community representatives, which according to them emanated from their previous consultations with the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, TCN, REA and PPI, as indicated to the IBDC leadership as directed by TCN to meet with the IBDC management which includes:

An appeal for an improved power supply to Ibarapa Community, pending the completion of the High Tension Power-Line coming from Abeokuta and passing through all towns in Ibarapa.

An appeal for IBDC to assist with power supply to new areas in Ibarapa zone and strengthen existing electricity infrastructure in order to contain high power capacity that will be available after completion of the HT Power-Line.

After a serious deliberation which spanned over one hour, the IBDC management and Representatives of Ibarapa Community made the following resolutions:

IBDC will commence work towards improving electricity supply to Ibarapaland within one week.

That the power supply currently available for Ibarapa is 7.5 megawatts and IBDC can only release 60% of it in order not to over stress the distribution line.

Power supply of 4 and 5 hours will be rationed for the towns in Ibarapa out of this, each town will have up to 4 or 5 days’ supply of 4 hours light in a week.

IBDC promise to request for additional power supply of 5 megawatts from TCN for Ibarapa zone, which according to them, will ensure stable electricity.

In a separate reaction, Hon Bimbo Adepoju and Hon. Akinyemi Akinlabi pledged to liase with the minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu and the management of TCN to ensure release of the additional 5 megawatts once TCN is communicated for this by IBDC.

Three commitments were requested by IBDC from Ibarapa Community to have more power supply, which includes:

Ibarapa Community should assist IBDC officials with security (Vigilante, Amotekun and Agro rangers) any time they need to trace fault or repair faults in the bush.

Ibarapa Community should assist in preventing and reporting vandalism of power distributing equipment.

Educating people to pay IBDC bills, beeing a commercial enterprise that must generate profit.