The Osun State Government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has pledged emergency support for victims of the recent rainstorm that hit the state, while also summoning the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company(IBEDC) over persistent blackout in Osogbo and other major towns.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson on Thursday, Adeleke expressed concern over the worsening power supply, saying it has negatively affected businesses and residents, describing the situation as unbearable.
He has directed the Commissioner for Energy to organize a consultation with IBEDC to find a short-term solution to the power crisis. The governor lamented that despite the challenges facing the power sector, Osun State is suffering significantly, and the state government is working towards diversifying energy sources, including renewable energy, to address the issue.
According to him, “I have received widespread complaints from all our major towns. Businesses are grinding to a halt. We cannot continue like this. I am inviting the management of the IBEDC for brainstorming to find a way out.
“As much as we know that the power sector is capital intensive and despite the fact that the matter is a national challenge, Osun is suffering a lot. We must work together with IBEDC for a short term solution.”
He also revealed that the state government is also setting up the Osun Electricity Regulatory Commission to license power-generating companies and regulate the power market system, with the aim of opening up the state’s energy sector and protecting consumers’ interests.
“Our state now has the Osun Electricity law. Before long, we are setting up the Osun Electricity Regulatory Commission to licence power generating companies and regulate the power market system. This will open up the state energy sector and also protect the best interest of IBEDC customers,” he said.
“While that is ongoing, we must interrogate the IBEDC for immediate solutions. The Commissioner for Energy is to organise the consultation as quickly as possible. We will also invite consumer advocacy groups for the meeting”, he noted.
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