For increasing the minimum energy credit purchase requirement for Band A consumers to N5,000, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company has come under fire. The Disco also set a N2,000 minimum energy credit cap for patrons of other bands, which infuriated and infuriated a number of consumer advocacy groups.
“Please be informed of a recent update regarding IBEDC electricity recharge,” the IBEDC wrote in a statement to its clients. Band A users are now required to recharge with a minimum of N5,000. Customers in other bands are required to spend at least N2,000.

“Please take note that this new payment structure is only applicable to IBEDC customers and is already in effect.” Customers were previously able to acquire energy credits of any quantity, according to the NEWSWORD, and this is still the case at other discos outside the IBEDC. Busolami Tunwase, the Ibadan Disco’s spokesman, stated that the new regulation was intended to reduce energy theft, although she did not elaborate on how this would be accomplished. When our writer reached her, she curtly responded, “It’s part of efforts to curb energy theft.”

A senior company official who wished to remain anonymous defended the action, saying that after examining the vending platform, it was found that some customers were selling small quantities that they used for an entire month, raising questions about how this could be possible.
“A Band A buyer must pay N10,450, VAT excluded, for 50 units sold. Does this imply that for a month, the consumer is utilizing fewer than two units each day? “We believe that this is nearly impossible,” the official said. He saw that some consumers were avoiding paying for a steady electricity supply by circumventing their meters.
Speaking on the matter, the National Coordinator of All Electricity Consumers Forum, Adeola Samuel-Ilori, noted that the policy has to be reversed to avoid backslashes.

Samuel-Ilori said it is against consumers’ right to choice and this may trigger litigations.

“It’s unacceptable to take away the right of people to choose what their purchasing power can afford. Electricity is not a privilege but a right under the constitution and power sector law of operation. A reversal will be required in my official letter to the IBEDC this week. And after the ultimatum, we may engage litigations to compel reversal,” he told NEWSWORD.

Also, the Convener of PowerUp Nigeria, Adetayo Adegbemle, remarked, “I don’t think there’s anything in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s regulation that supports such limitations from IBEDC. I understand IBEDC is trying to raise its collections, but it needs to be careful not to incur further penalties from the regulators.”

Adegbemle maintained that the policy will not curb energy theft, but it will rather encourage it if people are not able to vend according to their pockets.

The President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kola Olubiyo, told our correspondent that the Federal Competition And Consumer Protection Commission and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission are already investigating the allegations.

He said, “The very essence of promoting a competitive electricity market and the right to choice and freedom of the end-user customers in these particular circumstances are being undermined.

“It is an absurdity and an unthinkable monopolistic conscription of the demand side of the market.”

Similarly, the Executive Director of the Electricity Consumer Protection Advocacy Centre, Princewill Okorie, lamented that the power sector is increasingly becoming oppressive and anti-consumer friendly, reeling out policies that are not in line with realities.

Okorie wondered why a customer would be compelled to buy the quantity of product he is not ready for.

Okorie stressed, “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission should be approached to do its job of protecting consumers in line with the provisions of their Act.

“Why will a consumer be forced to buy the quantity of product he is not ready for? This administration needs to explain if they are here to protect the welfare and security of the people or to oppress them. Civil liberty and civil rights need to be protected.”