Community leaders sue for peace over crisis with IBEDC
From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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As part of efforts to resolve the crisis between Ijesa community and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, community leaders have called for an amicable resolution.
At a meeting led by Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Chief Yinka Fasuyi with the management of the electricity company in Ilesa, the leaders pointed out that the crisis had disrupted the peace in Ijesaland.
Chief Fasuyi blamed the parties involved for aggravating the crisis and the vandalization of IBEDC offices and equipments.
He stressed the need for customers to sheathe their swords to enable the distribution company to evaluate its equipments with a view to restoring electricity supply to the affected communities.
Chief Fasuyi appreciated the intervention of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ilesa branch, but advocated an out-of–court settlement of the matter.
Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to Ilesa following the crisis in the ancient town as commercial activities have picked up and residents were seen going about their daily activities, while shops were opened for business.
Military personnel also mounted surveillance at the popular roundabout and Itakogun axis of the town to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, the Osun House of Assembly on Wednesday said it would join the assessment team of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to evaluate the level of damage done to IBEDC equipment and property in Ilesha, which resulted to cutting off of electricity supply to Ijeshaland.
Mr Najeem Salaam, the Speaker of Osun House of Assembly made this known during the sitting of the House Public Petition Committee, on how to get light restored back to Ijeshaland.
Salaam said a committee from the Assembly would join the electricity distribution company to carry out the assessment after the Regional Manager of the company insisted that it was after assessment of damaged equipment and property that light can be restored back to the area.
The IBEDC Regional Manager, Mr Akin Ogunleye had explained to the lawmakers that electrical equipment, transformer and electricity feeders, that runs into millions of naira were damaged by irate youths who were protesting low supply of electricity to their area.
He said it is after the assessment of damaged equipment by an assessment team fom their headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo (in company of security agents) that a directive would be given on restoration of electricity back to Ijeshaland.
The Speaker however appealed to the regional manager to first restore power back to Ijeshaland, as those that attacked their staff and damaged equipment were from one local government area and that the cutting off was affecting the whole of Ijeshaland which comprises of six local government areas.
