LACK OF ELECTRICITY IS KILLING OUR ECONOMY IN IBARAPA REGION”, LEADERS APPEAL TO IBEDC

The Ibarapa Community comprising of traditional rulers, opinion leaders and Craftsmen has jointly expressed their displeasure to officials of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over the total outage of electricity in the region.

In a joint meeting with officials of IBEDC management held on Thursday, 12th September, 2024 at the Olu of Igboora palace which had in attendance Ibarapa traditional rulers led by the Olu of Igboora, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Titiloye, members of Initiative for Ibarapa Electricity led by a former Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government who double as the convener, Hon. Akinyemi Akinlabi, met to discuss issues relating to epileptic power supply in Ibarapa region.

Addressing the meeting on behalf of Ibarapa Community as monitored by Asako news, the convener, Hon. Akinyemi Akinlabi frown at the negligence by the electricity supply company, despite the efforts and resources of the community committed so far as a supporting body for stable power supply.

Briefing the meeting, the former council boss referenced several efforts of the community which included meetings with the Hon. Minister of Power, Hon. Bayo Adelabu as well as officials of Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN), management of Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Presidential Power Initiative in Ibadan and Abuja several times in the last six months.
On behalf of the community, Hon. Akinlabi alleged the IBEDC of intentionally redirecting supplies meant for Ibarapa region to industrial areas in Ibadan as according to him, Ibarapa region is fed up of the mistrust.

According to Akinlabi: “Ibarapa Community is fed up of continuous talking with IBEDC on epileptic power supply. We have made several efforts to address this problem as stakeholders, including our referred traditional rulers, all to no avail. “Around May this year, we met with five top officials of IBEDC where we reached an agreement that Ibarapa Community will be having power supply of minimum of four hours five days in a week. This has not happened to date.

“In the last five years, no single power supply in Ibarapa North Local Government, we demand a final solution and immediate power supply to Ibarapa by the IBEDC before a final solution comes from TCN” Akinlabi concluded.

Reacting to the allegations, the IBEDC Director, Engr. Oluwaseyi Akinlabi appreciate the traditional rulers and people of Ibarapa region for the audience and initiative coupled with the cooperation enjoyed by the officials within the zone. He emphatically seek for forgiveness on the issues of epileptic power supply challenge facing the region and affirmed the company’s readiness to put efforts in motion right all wrongs with immediate effect.

“I assure you, since we have been here today, we will start every process of solving the problem. We request the community release land for us to construct a sub-station, though, a capital project to be handled by the National Regulation Power Project Agency. “On our way coming, we detected some faults; I have approved and supplied the materials to affect the repairs which will start immediately.

Reacting to this, the President of Ayete Progressive Union, Hon. Alliu Kewulere Mukaram, lament the economic hardships the power outage has caused Ibarapa North Local Government which hosts federal institution. He referenced several efforts made by the community on the ongoing repairs of damaged electric facilities most especially the recent cash donation courtesy of the Chairman of Ibarapa North Local Government, Hon. Lateef Akorede. He thereby request for the immediate restoration of power supply to Ibarapa North Local Government.
All traditional rulers and leaders ot thoughts at the meeting also spoke in the same vein and concluded that IBEDC has failed Ibarapaland

Traditional rulers at the meeting include the Olu of Igboora, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Titiloye, Asigangan of Igangan, Oluaso of Iberekodo, Onisaganun of Saganun, Baale of Aborerin, and Baale of Idofin, representatives of the Asawo of Ayete, Elempe of Tapa and Baba-Aso of Iberekodo-Igbole.

Other officials of IBEDC at the meeting include Eng. Adesola Ojediran, Mr. Agboola Oluwaseun and Mr. Tolulope Babajide.