Power Minister brokers peace between UCH, IBEDC, ends 102-day blackout
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has successfully mediated a resolution between the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), bringing an end to a 102-day power outage at the institution.
Following a three-hour closed-door meeting with IBEDC Managing Director Engr. Francis Agoha and UCH Chief Medical Director Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, the minister announced that electricity would be restored to some sections of the hospital within 24 to 48 hours.
Adelabu described the prolonged blackout as a “national embarrassment” and criticized the situation for tarnishing the reputation of the hospital, the distribution company, and the Federal Government.
He attributed the hospital’s N283.8 million debt to issues such as account mismanagement, dilapidated infrastructure, and energy theft.
“The Federal Government is not comfortable with the current crisis between UCH and IBEDC,” Adelabu stated. “It is embarrassing to have the country’s premier teaching hospital in darkness for this long.”
The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply for all medical institutions. He revealed plans to coordinate with the Federal Ministry of Health to establish proper budgeting and transparent energy billing for UCH.
Moving forward, he disclosed that separate metering and transformers will be installed for different sections of the hospital, including the college of medicine, hostels, and business entities.
Adelabu warned against fraud and energy theft, describing such acts as economic crimes punishable by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He disclosed that some banks had been caught bypassing connections, urging the UCH management to report similar incidents.
Adelabu also announced that both UCH and the University of Ibadan are now part of the second phase of the federal government’s Energizing Education Programme (EEP), which will bring a 50-megawatt solar mini-grid to both institutions by mid-year.
Meanwhile, Engr. Agoha confirmed that IBEDC would meet with UCH officials to finalize reconnection modalities. The reconnection timeframe, he noted, would depend on resolving issues related to energy misuse and theft.
Prof. Otegbayo acknowledged the hospital’s cumulative debt, stemming from the college of medicine, hostels, and other facilities. He also requested special government intervention to replace outdated infrastructure.
With the agreement in place, UCH will pay its outstanding debt in installments over the next 8 to 12 months, alongside settling current bills.
