Adeleke summons IBEDC over blackout in Osun, promises relief for rainstorm victims

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has summoned the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over persistent power outages in Osogbo and other major towns across Osun State, describing the situation as “unbearable for residents.”

In a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor said field reports confirmed a worsening power supply, negatively affecting both businesses and households.

He stressed that IBEDC must provide clarity on the challenges with a view to finding lasting solutions.

“I have received widespread complaints from all our major towns. Businesses are grinding to a halt. We cannot continue like this. I am inviting the management of IBEDC for brainstorming to find a way out.

“As much as we know that the power sector is capital intensive and despite the fact that the matter is a national challenge, Osun is suffering a lot. We must work together with IBEDC for a short-term solution,” he said.

The governor announced plans to establish the Osun Electricity Regulatory Commission to license power generation companies and regulate the energy market.

“While that is ongoing, we must interrogate IBEDC for immediate solutions. The Commissioner for Energy, Festus Adeyemo, is to organise the consultation as quickly as possible. We will also invite consumer advocacy groups for the meeting,” Adeleke added.

On support for victims of recent rainstorms, he said the state emergency agency is compiling data on affected residents and encouraged victims to submit their information at the agency’s office, promising that the state government is working on local and national support for the victims.