The Licenced Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN), Oyo State chapter, on Monday questioned the Ibadan Electrical Distribution Company (IBEDC) for failure to allow payment following the introduction of Form 74 as a bid to continue the old bill pattern of overcharging users.
According to the Chairman of the association, Adesola Sylvester Gbogi, “The issue of meters is the primary purpose of our protest. We are gathered regarding the slow and ongoing process that Form 74 takes, which is necessary for the procurement of meters as outlined by IBEDC.
“The funny part is that for the past three to four months, we have submitted the forms, and we find it difficult to make a payment. This is causing widespread havoc among the masses.
“We demand that we want a situation whereby the processing and procurement of meters shouldn’t last beyond two to three weeks, so that it will be easier for all of us.
“They should give us the opportunity to make payments for the meter procurement; then we will be waiting for them to come and install the meter within ten days but when we submit the form, instead for them calling us. They are now generating accounts for a new building, which is inhumane.
“This is the reason we are here to see the Regional heads and all concerned authorities. The procurement and process of meters shouldn’t last beyond ten days.
The vice chairman of the Licenced Electrical Contractors, Apata branch, Hon. Rasheed A. Adesola, noted, ‘this has become a messy situation for us, and probably to them too. For instance, those people who submitted since January have not been granted an account. When we take these files to IBEDC, they requested money, and some of us paid them and yet there’s no account. There’s no way forward. We are frustrated.
Equally speaking, a member of the association, Olalelake Oseni noted that, “although some staff requested a token to accelerate our applications, and we still having serious troubles.”
“When we submit the forms, most of the officers are requesting a token from us. Some of our members were forced to give for no positive end. Now, integrity has become a serious matter of concern.
I think the best way to solve the problem is to create a working account system that encourages transparency. We don’t think this should have been a problem, considering this 21st-century advancement in technology and banking.
“The denial is causing a lot of havoc. We don’t want them to think we are doing something wrong, or not competent in our job. We are pleading with them to make life easy for us and the masses at large.
“The danger is that when the masses who pay for the acquisition of meters are in darkness, they would seek alternative means. That’s alternative remains illegal to the management of IBEDC. So what’s the way forward for us and the masses?”
