Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has urged power distribution companies in Nigeria to demonstrate capacity for service delivery before embarking on any form of tariff increase.

The governor gave the advice on Wednesday, while playing host to the management team of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), who paid a courtesy visit to his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office.

“The problem is that people are worried that when they are charged higher tariffs, they may still not get effective service. You need to demonstrate to people that you have the capacity to deliver service,” Governor Amosun said.

He added: “Power is so key to development. I pray that we get it right and you will see the astronomical development that Nigeria will experience.

“The good thing is that the present administration ably led by President Muhammadu Buhari realises the importance of power and it’s doing everything to get it right.”

Speaking earlier, Dr. John Olatunde Ayeni, Chairman of the IBEDC Board of Directors who led the electricity distribution company’s management team on the visit, had listed refusal to pay the new tariff as a major setback for the power sector.

Ayeni explained that the IBEDC team came to the Ogun State Governor because “the state contributes the largest revenue base for our company.”

He added that “in appreciation of the state’s contribution to our revenue base, we have put Ogun State on our premium customer base.”

Ayeni also promised that the IBEDC is set to embark on an aggressive metering plan for Ogun State in line with its performance agreement in order to ensure that estimated billing is eradicated.

“New infrastructures are being deployed to replace obsolete ones inherited from the PHCN era. This is also part of our efforts to improve power supply to our customers,” he said.

The IBEDC chairman also announced the completion of a new 132/33KV substation to complement the Ojere 132/33KV substation commissioned in 1982.

“We are glad to inform you that efforts are already geared towards shifting part of the load congestion in Abeokuta to the new Substation for power supply improvement,” Ayeni said.

The IBEDC boss also seized the opportunity to explain the circumstances leading to a recent protest by residents of Ibafo/Mowe axis of Ogun State who complained of not having access to power supply.

“The demonstration was actually due to the failure of an NIPP contractor to complete the 33KV line from the newly completed 330/132/33KV substation near Akute. We are working with NIPP on this to ensure the completion of the project and restore power to the affected areas,” Ayeni said.

•Photo shows, Dr. John Olatunde Ayeni, Chairman, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Board of Directors (L), receiving a gift item from the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, when the management team of IBEDC paid a courtesy visit on the governor at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office on Wednesday.