The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company has committed to enhancing electricity supply and accelerating the resolution of operational issues for key customers in Ogun State. Deolu Ijose, the company's managing director and chief executive officer, provided these assurances during an engagement with industrial stakeholders in Sagamu and Ota on Tuesday, according to Punch. The meeting was designed to gather direct feedback from businesses to guide the utility's future investment priorities.
Ijose acknowledged that customers have faced persistent challenges, including inadequate power supply, frequent interruptions, and delays in clearing faults. He attributed these issues to a prolonged period of limited investment while the utility operated under the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria. According to Punch, board changes took effect in February after a new core investor joined, with new management resuming duties in April. Ijose stated that this new ownership structure is expected to improve the company's capacity to deploy funds effectively.
To support key business and industrial corridors, the utility has signed an agreement to procure approximately 125 megawatts of electricity directly from a generation company. This initiative is intended to complement the national grid and reduce pressure on existing power sources. Ijose noted that while this additional energy will help, the company must also upgrade its distribution infrastructure to deliver the power effectively. He emphasized that reliable electricity is critical for manufacturers whose operations depend on stable power to run machinery and protect equipment.
The CEO also highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the World Bank to improve electricity delivery across the value chain. He pledged that the company would work to meet service-level commitments, specifically reviewing performance to ensure eligible customers on Band A receive the promised minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily. Ijose stressed that the goal is to provide electricity of the right quality at the right place, rather than relying on compensation for shortfalls.
During the engagement, agro-allied industrialist Alhaji Goke Adeyemi urged the management to expedite actions to ease the burden of erratic power supply. He noted that poor electricity availability was making life difficult for both business owners and residents across the state. Ijose appealed to customers to provide continuous feedback, suggesting that this collaboration would help identify priority areas and contribute to broader economic development.