The Oyo State government and the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) have started a cold war which could last for a long time unless urgent steps are taken to resolve the matter.
While the distribution company confirmed that it sealed the Agodi Government Secretariat because of a huge debt of N450 million owed by the government, the government in retaliation sealed off offices of the company for failing to pay revenue bills and personal income.
The Agodi government Secretariat has been in the dark for almost two weeks and still counting, leaving the Governor Office, House of Assembly and other offices being run by the power generating sets.
The Management of (IBEDC) has hereby cried out, describing the action taken by the government as retaliatory and illegal.
IBEDC disclosed that the state government on Wednesday 9 February 2022 commenced the sealing of our offices within the state over some suddenly contrived debts labeled revenue bills and personal income without due notification.
“This issue of revenue bills and personal income arising now is quite suspicious.”
The statement by Chief Operating Officer, Engr. John Ayodele, revealed that Oyo State Government owes IBEDC a whopping consumption outstanding of 450 Million Naira for over a period of three years.
He explained that the company as part of efforts to get the outstanding pay initiated several engagements through correspondences and physical meetings, but all these efforts yielded no result.
“No business in this country can run successfully with such a huge outstanding, the power we distribute to customers must be accounted for and paid for, we have no choice but to disconnect the Oyo State Secretariat, so it is worrisome to see that the government has sealed off our offices with this underhand and arm twisting tactics , instead of paying the debt owed. This was not done in good faith and it would have a damaging effect on the business and service delivery to our customers,” Engr. Ayodele further explained .
The COO appealed to the State Governor, his Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde to look into the matter in the interest of all concerned as this would further exacerbate the power challenges and pressure on residents and commercial activities within the state.
IBEDC engages in essential services to the public and the effect of this arm twisting tactics can at best be imagined if not quickly arrested.
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