Ijesaland and IBEDC: Peace at last

At last, people of Ijesaland can now breathe a sigh of relief and electricity restored soon, following a fruitful tripartite meeting involving the Osun State Government, officials of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and representatives of the ancient Ijesaland at the Governor’s Office, Osogbo.
The meeting was a follow-up to a Town Hall parley earlier held in Ilesa.
The Osogbo meeting was called to resolve the crisis between residents of the town and IBEDC. It would be recalled that a crisis broke out recently in the area over alleged huge bills by IBEDC which the residents resisted, leading to a breakdown of law and order.
Representing Ijesaland team at the Osogbo meeting were Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesha, Dr Adigun Adewoye, Engr Bode Agboola and Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi
The IBEDC Team was led by the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Chief Sunday Oduntan, IBEDC PRO, Mrs Angela Olanrewaju, Regional Manager, Akin Ogunleye and Engr Akin Abiodun.
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, his deputy, Benedict Gboyega Alabi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff, Head of Service and Majority Leader of the House of Assembly represented the government.
Security officers also attended to ensure peace.
Initially, the meeting was stormy but reason later prevailed, leading to combatants shifting grounds to ensure peace.
The governor led the session and reiterated the urgent need to stop blame game but look for answers and solution to the logjam “which could be escalated and worsened if care is not taken”.
Earlier before the tripartite meeting, Oyetola and his team had met with the delegates from Ijesaland only, where presentations were made to him on various accounts of the incident.
Oyetola did a marvellous job in presenting the grievances of electricity consumers in Ijesaland to IBEDC, the basis for the protest without, however, condoning it.
He reiterated the need for IBEDC to improve on its service provision.
Oyetola also spoke on paucity of funds in the State of Livingspring and its inability to come to the aid of IBEDC. He made a passionate appeal to the management to look inwards for solutions to the equipment repairs, among others. 
“We need to resolve this crisis to avoid a resultant economic paralysis in Ile-Ijesa and foreseeable security challenges. I also urge IBEDC not to transfer the financial challenges on the consumers because of the protest. That is why insurance is very important in public facilities”.
The governor was given a round of applause and the team from Ijesa took over from where he stopped.
Oba Aromolaran spoke on injustices meted by IBEDC on consumers in the kingdom and the need for IBEDC to “restore light back without much delay and with no cost to consumers”.
The IBEDC team, led by the articulate Asiwaju Oduntan, spoke with a lot of courtesy and respect for the dignitaries.
He pleaded with the meeting to help in persuading the entire Ijesaland community to sheathe their swords and anger so that IBEDC staff could be free and safe to return to their duty post, and with the high possibility of overhauling the staff.
He apologised for the hardship as a result of the blackout and excesses of some IBEDC staff in Ijesa.
He also condemned the sharp practices of some staff in Ijesa, promising to recruit new staff in Ijesa “and they will be trained on how to treat customers. Customer is the king. However, I want to strongly advise against vandalisation by customers. We need to work co-exist amicably”.
Eventually, it was agreed that IBEDC will bear all responsibilities and liabilities without reference to Ijesa consumers and the company promised to restore light without delay.
The residents were also urged not to attack IBEDC officials who will be drafted to ensure “quick repairs of vandalised facilities”.