AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc. has reiterated its resolve to intensify its campaign against energy theft within its franchise area.
IBEDC, in collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences, is taking legal actions against individuals and businesses that involve in energy theft.
Mr. Johnson Tinuoye, Chief Key Accounts Officer of IBEDC, disclosed in a statement that the company recorded over 1,459 cases of energy theft between January and February 2024.
The statement read that the cases included meter bypass and illegal meter tampering resulting in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for the company.
“The escalating figures have prompted a strategic partnership with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences, a Federal Government agency dedicated to expediting the investigation and prosecution of offenders within IBEDC’s franchise,” the state read.
It pointed out that under the Electricity Act, energy theft is recognized as a criminal offense, carrying severe penalties including imprisonment.
Meanwhile, in Osun region, two persons were said to have been apprehended for stealing energy through meter bypass and illegal connections. They had been formally charged to court.
Tinuoye was quoted by the statement as saying that “We want to send a clear message to our customers that energy theft will not be tolerated. Our collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences underscores our commitment to ensuring a fair and just electricity distribution system.
“Energy theft not only undermines the integrity of our operations but also deprives IBEDC of the revenue necessary to provide quality services to our customers.”
It urged the IBEDC customers to refrain from engaging in energy theft, emphasizing that the consequences can be severe as there is no room for negotiation with the SIPTEO Task Force team which is actively patrolling and investigating instances of energy theft for prosecution.”
For clarification or to report instances of energy theft, consumers are advised to contact the customer care line of IBEDC or visit the company’s website.
