The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has raised the minimum purchasable energy credit for Band A customers to N5,000.
IBEDC is reputed as the largest electricity distribution company in Nigeria, with coverage through Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara and parts of Niger, Ekiti and Kogi States.
Since we started in 2013, we deliver electricity to millions of Nigerians across Oyo, …
The distribution company also capped the minimum energy credit for customers on other bands at N2,000.
In a message to its customers, the IBEDC said, “Please be informed of a recent update regarding IBEDC electricity recharge. Users on Band A must now make a minimum recharge purchase of N5,000. Users in other bands must make a minimum purchase of N2,000.
“Kindly note that this new payment structure is effective already and applies exclusively to IBEDC customers.”
Before the new introduction, customers could purchase any amount of credit.
The spokesperson of the Ibadan Disco, Busolami Tunwase, said: “It’s part of efforts at curbing energy theft.”
Kicking against the initiative, the National Coordinator of All Electricity Consumers Forum, Adeola Samuel-Ilori, said: “It’s unacceptable to take away the right of people to choose what their purchasing power can afford. Electricity is not a privilege but a right under the constitution and power sector law of operation. A reversal will be required in my official letter to the IBEDC this week. And after the ultimatum, we may engage litigations to compel reversal.”
Similarly, Convener of PowerUp Nigeria, Adetayo Adegbemle, remarked, “I don’t think there’s anything in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s regulation that supports such limitations from IBEDC. I understand IBEDC is trying to raise its collections, but it needs to be careful not to incur further penalties from the regulators.”
The President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kola Olubiyo, said, “The very essence of promoting a competitive electricity market and the right to choice and freedom of the end-user customers in these particular circumstances are being undermined.
“It is an absurdity and an unthinkable monopolistic conscription of the demand side of the market.”
