IBEDC Staff In Abeokuta Steals Power Cables, Threatens To Beat Up Customer

I stay in Abeokuta, in a house of 6 flats. Actually, I represent the landlord in tenancy issues and I help with the tenants but one issues has been persistently an headache, power supply. Now, epileptic power is not really the issue as we all know how the country is not really the issue but we try our best.

In 2008, we applied for pre-paid meters for all the flats but it was not given and we continued to disturb them but we have not been successful. In 2018, we had some tenants that decided to rack up bills and not pay bills as I was not around but when I returned, we served them quit notices and we also reported them to the authorities (Civil Defence corps). Now we are aware that the Lagos state high court has declared that it is illegal for any power company to hold the landlord or new tenants responsible for bills accrued by old tenants.

Notwithstanding, last July, the power was disconnected and we left it choosing to pursue getting pre-paid meters instead. This February, IBEDC officials finally brought meters for the whole house and we were glad. They also authorized the reconnection as this was done in front of them and they tested and reconnected the meters to see that it was functioning properly.

We thought it was all over when yesterday, a team of IBEDC officials came to the house and said they will disconnect the whole house for illegal connection. I was not home but I rushed home to meet the wires on the floor. IBEDC officials led by a certain MR OLUWATOMISIN Alao said the connection was illegal hence the disconnection. They attempted to go away with my cables as this was my property and said MR ALAO told me he will beat me up if I attempt to retrieve my cables. This he said while removing his shirt and folding his sleeves. I left him and they drove away with my recline cables.

He also said another problem he has is that last year, we did not allow him seize the cables when he came to disconnect the power supply

Today, I went to their Abiola way office and was told Mr Alao was in a meeting and would not return until 4pm. I went back and saw him, he told me that the receipt for the meters are not valid and then he said that was not even his issue that the issue is that I did not inform him personally of the reconnection and so it is illegal. Please not that said reconnection was done on the request and permission of IBEDC staff. He also said that he has the right to seize cables that does not belong to him or his company.

He bragged and said there is no way we will reconnect the power cables without seeing him first as he holds the power. I attempted to report him to his superiors at their headquarters and I didn’t meet the business manager or the legal officer. I spoke to their business manager MR Olufayo Oluwasogo and he unceremoniously disconnected the call after I told him what happened without even an attempt to give me a response.

My questions are that
1. Does IBEDC have the right to seize cables they did not buy?
2. Does IBEDC officials have the right to disconnect power supply of people who are using prepaid meters

This are pictures of when they came to install the metres

Civil and public servants are the problem of Nigeria.

Gbagura:
Civil and public servants are the problem of Nigeria.

But that's the issue. IBEDC is a private company but because of monopoly their staff behave as if they are a public sector company with God-like powers

Sorry for the inconvenience, some IBEDC staffs can be notorious. Also, a lot of fraudulent practices are been perpetrated by IBEDC staffs and the company but you can still seek redress if you are willing to be patient and go the long way. My first question is hope you are not involved in any electricity theft or Meter by-passing. If not, the next step is to go their leme office and demand to speak to the Customer Service Officer. Explain what transpired and ask what he/she can do. If you are still not satisfied you can call their Ibadan head office or contact NERC Ibadan office to lodge your complaint. The phone number for IBEDC head office at Ibadan is 07001239999 while the phone number for NERC Ibadan is 08146862252.

Gbagura:
Civil and public servants are the problem of Nigeria.

We Nigerians are our greatest problem; civil and public servants are subsets of our society. Am sure a lot goes on in whichever sector of the economy you work too. The solution is to start changing our mindsets and stop throwing blames around.

The installation of the new meter might actually be illegal...

But wait, are you not a Nigerian? You should understand the message he is passing... Negotiation...

Sorry for your trouble, OP.

But then this is still a side of the story, if only IBEDC or Mr. Also could give his version of the story.

You can also escalate this on the various radio programs in the town, I'm not sure they'll respond quickly.

As for the cables, I understand they become properties of the power company once they're connected to the network, even the transformer the communities gather money buy.
Some things have to be revisited.

Tabithatim:
...Now we are aware that the Lagos state high court has declared that it is illegal for any power company to hold the landlord or new tenants responsible for bills accrued by old tenants.

Did you take any legal action against IBEDC over the accrued bills?

Tabithatim:
...In 2008, we applied for pre-paid meters for all the flats but it was not given and we continued to disturb them but we have not been successful...

It was successful eventually. Did you disturb them until the meters were scheduled and installed.

How many meters did you apply for and how many did they install?

Tabithatim:
...This February, IBEDC officials finally brought meters for the whole house and we were glad. They also authorized the reconnection as this was done in front of them and they tested and reconnected the meters to see that it was functioning properly...

Meter installers are not always staff of the company, but sent from the meter company to install meters for customers based on request from the company, and the installation is to be supervised by Metering Engineer.

An installer has no right to reconnect a customer disconnected by the company just because he wants to install meter.

As a Metering Engineer, I always warn every installer never to meter any customer under disconnection.

Tabithatim:

My questions are that
1. Does IBEDC have the right to seize cables they did not buy?

Yes, whatever is connected to the grid becomes the property of the company because customers will not be sanctioned if there is an accident caused by the cable.

Imagine if the cable you bought snapped and caused a fatal accident, you the owner who bought it will never be sanctioned but IBEDC.

From the transformer to the pole to the meter is IBEDC's responsibility, but after the meter to your house is your responsibility via LECAN.

Tabithatim:

2. Does IBEDC officials have the right to disconnect power supply of people who are using prepaid meters

Yes, either by energy theft, wrong Installation of meter or bridge of SOP.

.....…............................

Above all, I want to believe there is a long term friction between you and the staff involved for this to be happening now.

Did the installer give you any signed document
(either pink or yellow) backing the meters installation?

I treated and resolved almost similar case today.

You can WhatsApp me on 08069589131 for quick response.

But, please kindly answer my questions first.


Mynd.
Thanks for calling my attention.

LibertyRep:
Sorry for your trouble, OP.

But then this is still a side of the story, if only IBEDC or Mr. Also could give his version of the story.

You can also escalate this on the various radio programs in the town, I'm not sure they'll respond quickly.

As for the cables, I understand they become properties of the power company once they're connected to the network, even the transformer the communities gather money buy.
Some things have to be revisited.

Escalating when he is at fault or not will only cause more issue for him.

He should escalate ONLY via NERC and copy other institutions.

The excuse from IBEDC will be that he is not worthy of being their customer, thus the reason he was disconnected. Besides, he is not billed for darkness.

He needs the light more. Let him go to the office and meet the Oga one-on-one for quick resolve. Phone calls won't be enough.

Tabithatim

I advise you detach the pictures, and also remove the names of the involved staff for now.

It will be more useful later than now.

elpee2015:
Sorry for the inconvenience, some IBEDC staffs can be notorious. Also, a lot of fraudulent practices are been perpetrated by IBEDC staffs and the company but you can still seek redress if you are willing to be patient and go the long way. My first question is hope you are not involved in any electricity theft or Meter by-passing. If not, the next step is to go their leme office and demand to speak to the Customer Service Officer. Explain what transpired and ask what he/she can do. If you are still not satisfied you can call their Ibadan head office or contact NERC Ibadan office to lodge your complaint. The phone number for IBEDC head office at Ibadan is 07001239999 while the phone number for NERC Ibadan is 08146862252.

Calling NERC Ibadan is a waste. There was one long weekend (Weekend plus public holiday) that there was a fault in my area. I got to Leme and our Area Office repeatedly and they told me the repair guys don't work weekends or public holidays


I called NERC IBADAN FOR FOUR STRAIGHT DAYS AND THE NUMBERS DIDN'T GO.

We stayed in darkness all through.


NERC is as terrible as IBEDC