By Adeyemi Badewa
As I sat down to write this article, my heart felt heavy with the weight of frustration and despair. I am not alone in this feeling. Millions of Nigerians, including myself, are suffering in silence, bearing the brunt of a failed experiment called privatization.
The privatization of Nigeria’s power sector in 2013 was touted as a panacea for the country’s perennial electricity woes. However, years after the handover of the distribution companies (Discos) to private investors, the experience of many consumers, particularly those under the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) which I happen to be has been nothing short of catastrophy.
A Cycle of Exploitation
Consumers under IBEDC are forced to bear the financial burden of providing essential infrastructure, including transformers, cables, and poles. They also have to pay for the installation of these facilities. One would expect that having borne these costs, consumers would be spared the hassle of exorbitant electricity bills. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
Outrageous Bills and Lack of Accountability
Despite the significant financial investments made by consumers, IBEDC continues to slap us with outrageous electricity bills. The company’s billing system is opaque, and consumers are often left with no choice but to pay for electricity they did not consume. The lack of accountability is staggering, and consumers are left to suffer in silence.
The Plight of Consumers
When consumers encounter challenges with their electricity supply, they are often forced to take responsibility for resolving the issues. This can involve pleading with IBEDC officials to attend to their problems, which can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. Many communities have been without solutions to their cokplains for months, years because they look forward to a non yeilding IBEDC to come fix for them, thereby keeping them in darkness forever. The company’s customer service is often unresponsive, leaving consumers feeling helpless and frustrated.
The Human Cost
The effects of IBEDC’s failures go beyond mere inconvenience. The lack of reliable electricity supply has serious implications for businesses, healthcare, and education. Many businesses have been forced to close down due to the high cost of alternative power sources. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are struggling to provide adequate care due to the lack of reliable electricity. The education sector is also suffering, as schools are forced to cancel classes or rely on expensive generators. Many media houses ca no longer broadcast not even up to 18 hours daily for services which is suppose to be a 24hours services.
The cries of Nigerians seem to be falling on deaf ears. Despite the numerous complaints about the exploitative practices of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), the company continues to wreak havoc on the lives of its customers.
The recent disconnection of electricity supply to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan is a stark reminder of the company’s blatant disregard for human life. Many lives were lost due to this action as porported , and it’s unimaginable that a company can prioritize profits over human lives.
The upward review of tariff from 72 Naira per unit to 210 Naira is nothing short of extortionate. How can a company justify such an outrageous increase when its customers are already struggling to make ends meet? It’s even more galling when you consider that customers are forced to pay for everything, including the installation of infrastructure, and yet the company still has the audacity to slap them with exorbitant bills. I still don’t get the principle they work with.
The Federal Government needs to take immediate action to address this crisis. The agreement between the government and IBEDC needs to be reviewed, and the company needs to be held accountable for its actions. It’s time for the government to stop paying lip service to the plight of Nigerians and take concrete steps to address the issue.
As Senator Adams Oshiomole recently complained, it’s unacceptable that IBEDC can continue to exploit its customers with impunity. The company’s actions are not only shameful but also inhumane. It’s time for Nigerians to rise up and demand justice. We will not be silenced, and we will not be oppressed. We demand action, and we demand it now. ¹ ²
A Call to Action
As I write this article, I am not just speaking for myself, but for the millions of voiceless Nigerians who are suffering in silence. We demand that the Federal Government takes immediate action to review the calamitous contract with the owners of the distribution companies. We demand that the government holds IBEDC and other Discos accountable for their failures. We demand that the government takes concrete steps to ensure that electricity consumers are protected from exploitation.
The Time for Change is Now
The privatization of Nigeria’s power sector has been a disaster. It is time for the government to admit its mistakes and take corrective action. We cannot continue to suffer in silence while the owners of the distribution companies smile all the way to the bank. The time for change is now. We demand action, and we demand it now.
Conclusion
The experience of electricity consumers under IBEDC is a stark reminder of the failures of Nigeria’s power sector privatization. As we call on the Federal Government to take urgent action to address this crisis, we must also recognize that this is not just a matter of policy, but a matter of human rights. The right to access reliable and affordable electricity is a fundamental human right, and it is time for our government to take concrete steps to ensure that this right is protected.
