By Busari Kabirat
DisCo Ibadan, has begin to stop consumers from recharging their prepaid metre with amounts below N5,000.
This has caused lot of reactions from the residents of the state as they complain about poor power supply.
One energy expert in the state made it known that the policy is illegal, unconstitutional, it also violates existing laws regulating the electricity industry.
Some families who earn low incomes now live without electricity in the state just because of the new policy by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The new policy have prevented consumers from recharging less than N5,000 and forced many residents to recharge 5,000 and above.
IBEDC’s statement which was recently issued to its customers on electricity recharge update stated that,
“Users on Band A are now required to make a minimum recharge purchase of N5,000. Users in other bands must make a minimum purchase of N2,000.”
IBEDC made it known that the new payment policy is applicable only to its customers and is effective immediately.
Meanwhile, IBEDC is one of the struggling electricity companies in Nigeria, while the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) advised the company be sold to viable investors so as to make it effective.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had specifically summon Abuja summons Abuja and Ibadan DisCos
stating that the federal government has issued new warnings to electricity distribution companies in Nigeria and that Ibadan DisCos would face consequences if they did not improve their performance.
However, lawyer and electricity expert Anthony C. Nwajuigo argued that the policy is illegal and goes against the Electricity Act as well as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (FCCPA).
Nwajuigo said:
“Stating that customers under band A cannot procure less than N5,000 is absurd. Why other customers cannot procure less than N5,000. It is totally illegal.
