AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MANAGEMENT OF IBADAN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY (IBEDC), ON THE PERSISTENT FAILURE OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
I write on behalf of the students community in SouthWest across your jurisdiction of operations to express deep concern and growing frustration over the persistent and unacceptable state of electricity supply. What communities continue to experience is far below what citizens deserve and far below what should reasonably be expected from a power distribution company entrusted with such responsibility.
This situation is not limited to students alone. It affects the entire community, households, small businesses, artisans, traders, and institutions whose daily activities depend on stable electricity. Across many areas, residents are subjected to long days of power outages, irregular supply, and a troubling lack of transparency and clear communication from IBEDC.
The consequences of this persistent failure are far reaching. Businesses struggle to survive as operators are forced to rely heavily on expensive alternatives to power their operations. Many small-scale enterprises that should ordinarily thrive under stable electricity continue to suffer losses, and economic productivity within communities is severely weakened.
Beyond economic hardship, the lack of reliable electricity also contributes to rising insecurity. Dark streets and poorly lit communities create conditions that make criminal activities easier to perpetrate and more difficult to deter. Electricity is not merely a service, it is a critical component of public safety, economic stability, and social wellbeing.
Students, in particular, face additional challenges as we struggle to read, research, and complete academic work under conditions that make effective learning almost impossible. Yet even beyond the academic community, the burden of this persistent electricity failure is carried daily by ordinary citizens who deserve better service and accountability.
It is therefore necessary to state clearly that the current situation is unacceptable. A company entrusted with electricity distribution across multiple states must demonstrate greater responsibility, transparency, and commitment to improving service delivery.
We therefore call on IBEDC to urgently address this ongoing crisis by:
1. Providing a clear explanation for the persistent poor electricity supply across its coverage areas.
2. Demonstrating greater transparency and communication with communities regarding outages and restoration timelines.
3. Implementing concrete measures to significantly improve electricity distribution in affected communities.
4. Strengthening customer responsiveness and accountability in handling complaints from residents.
Students communities cannot continue to live under the weight of unreliable electricity while bearing the financial and social consequences of these failures. We deserve a power distribution system that works, and they deserve a company that recognizes its responsibility to the people it serves.
This letter is written in the interest of accountability and public good. We hope the management of IBEDC will treat this concern with the seriousness it deserves and take immediate steps toward meaningful improvement with the next seven working days.
The people can no longer continue to endure this situation in silence.
Signed
Ridwan Ademola Adegoke Pal. Solution
Deputy Coordinator, NANS South-West
08142617973
