Billing crisis: IBEDC meets Osun community, promises prepaid meters amid tension

Following a growing tension between officials of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and residents of Otan-Ayegbaju in Boluwaduro local government area of Osun state,the company has promised that prepaid meters would be rolled out across the community to resolve billing discrepancies.

The officials had held a meeting with the community to resolve an ongoing dispute over electricity billing and customer harassment.

The meeting convened to address growing unrest, followed allegations by community members that utility workers were illegally disconnecting power supplies without following due process.

Speaking at his palace, the Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju, Oba Lukman Ojo-Fadipe, expressed strong displeasure over recurring confrontations between residents and power distribution workers.

Warning against activities that could trigger chaos, the traditional ruler noted that while community leaders have worked tirelessly to defuse rising tensions, a lasting solution must be implemented immediately.

Oba Ojo-Fadipe urged residents to maintain the peace and cautioned parents to restrain their children from assaulting IBEDC staff carrying out their lawful duties.

Also speaking, Chief Emmanuel Adeleke, the Saloro of Otan-Ayegbaju, criticized IBEDC’s estimated billing practices, saying “I did not have electricity supply for three months, yet energy bills kept arriving without interruption.”

He demanded that the utility provider should cease charging customers for unconsumed power.

Responding on behalf of IBEDC, Mr. Adesegun Alaketu, urged customers to clear their outstanding bills, promising that

Adesegun explained that customers with outstanding debts on legacy meters could either settle their balances or agree to a structured payment plan integrated into their new prepaid meters.

“Houses with existing meters will receive prepaid units at no cost. However, unmetered properties must apply and pay for their meters upfront, with the cost refunded to them over time through monthly energy tokens,” Adesegun said.

Addressing concerns over higher tariffs, he revealed that Otan-Ayegbaju had been upgraded to ‘Band A’ status because the area met the required daily supply thresholds.

He appealed to residents to practice energy conservation, noting that many households leave outdoor lights on during daytime hours.

He further clarified that IBEDC does not bill properties based on physical size and reiterated that the company consistently issues monthly refund tokens to customers who purchased their meters under previous schemes.