Ogun Communities Protest High Electricity Tariffs, Petition IBEDC and NERC.
Residents of several communities in the Ota area of Ogun State have expressed their discontent with the high electricity tariffs imposed by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) due to their Band A classification.
The communities, united under the Ota Area Community Development Committee (OACDC), have petitioned IBEDC, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and other relevant authorities, urging a review of their tariff to a more affordable rate.
The OACDC, representing about 31 communities, highlighted that the current electricity tariffs consume a significant portion of residents’ incomes, adversely affecting their ability to meet other basic needs.
Some residents reported spending over N35,000 monthly on electricity for a three-bedroom apartment, a sharp increase from the approximately N10,000 they paid before the introduction of the banding system.
In a letter dated August 6, 2024, addressed to the Managing Director of IBEDC, the Chairman of Ado Odo Local Government, and other officials including Senator Olamilekan Solomon (YAYI), the Olota of Ota, and House of Representatives member Hon. Tunji Akinosi, the OACDC warned that both tenants and landlords are beginning to move out of the communities due to the unsustainable electricity costs.
The petition, signed by OACDC Chairman Alhaji Fatai Aina, General Secretary of the Electricity Committee Mr. Alao Salimon, and representatives from the affected communities, called for a reduction in the electricity tariff or a reclassification to Band B.
The residents believe that a lower tariff or reclassification would alleviate their financial burden, reduce illegal meter bypasses, and potentially increase IBEDC’s revenue as compliance with electricity regulations would improve.
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The communities also noted that they had taken significant steps to provide and maintain electricity infrastructure, including erecting concrete poles, laying underground cables, and installing transformers—all without assistance from IBEDC or any government agency.
They argued that after these substantial investments, they should not be subjected to the financial strain caused by the high tariffs associated with Band A.
The letter concluded with a firm request: “We, the executive committees of these CDAs, hereby request on behalf of our people that your distribution company restore us to the former tariff we were enjoying before the introduction of Band A or redeploy us to Band B, as we can no longer afford the high rate.”
The decision, they said, had been unanimously agreed upon by residents during a general meeting, reflecting the widespread dissatisfaction with the current situation.
