Osogbo Residents Protest against “crazy” bills by IBEDC

By Ismail Afolabi

Residents of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, on Thursday 22, 2015 protested against what they described as crazy bills by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC and called for rapid rectification.

Led by Chief James Adejumo, the residents were shielded by men of the Nigeria Police Force and stormed Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Osogbo to register their grievances.

Armed with placards, the protesters lamented superfluous bills the IBEDC allegedly slammed on them and condemned the company for the said bills.

They chanted, “Say no to crazy bills” and alleged irregularities on part of the company with regard to distribution of prepaid meters.

Urging both the state and federal government to interfere in the quagmire, the concerned inhabitants stressed that electricity is the only dividend of democracy the common people enjoy.

Before the protest, Chief James had earlier in a petition pointed out that during the era of PHCN, the federal government directed the company to distribute meters to the consumers without any charge.

According to him, few meters were distributed in Osogbo and the IBEDC stopped the distribution when it came into power. He added that the company now charges exceedingly before giving out the meter which he said should be given to the residents free.