The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) stated on Thursday that customers in Sango and Ota owe the company N28 billion.

Busolami Tunwase, lead media relations at IBEDC, made this announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting in Joju, Ota, Ogun.

Ms Tunwase, representing the chief executive officer of IBEDC, Kingsley Achife, mentioned that the N28 billion electricity debt is owed by residential customers and not industries.

“We appeal to customers to promptly pay their bills in order for the company to survive and effectively carry out our business operations. The accumulation of debts is hampering the company’s operations because we have requests and obligations to fulfil. Not paying for consumed electricity is energy theft, which is punishable and carries a jail term,” she said.

Ms Tunwase stated that the new electricity bill signed into law by President Bola Tinubu allows for punishment for anyone caught stealing electricity.

She admonished customers to refrain from bypassing, illegally removing or moving meters to another location, damaging meters to avoid paying bills, illegal connections, among other offences.

Ms Tunwase noted that payments received provide the electricity value chain with the needed revenue to improve service.

She advised customers to avoid using substandard metres, which pose serious dangers to people.

Ms Tunwase added that customers with illegal meters should be reported to the appropriate channels, as using illegal meters is an offence.

She also warned customers against assaulting its officials while they are discharging their duties to avoid legal consequences.

Tunde Adeyemi, a customer, stated that there is a need for IBEDC to redouble its efforts to provide stable electricity for residents.

Mr Adeyemi lamented that the intermittent power supply in Sango and its environs is negatively affecting people’s livelihoods.

He added that IBEDC also needs to address high electricity bills to prevent shortchanging the public.

Mr Adeyemi appealed to IBEDC to make pre-paid meters available to customers to enhance its operation.

(NAN)