The Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc has lamented that the Oyo State Government is sealing its offices across the state despite owing the company N450 million.

IBEDC said the move of the government is retaliatory as the company cut off power supply to government secretariat for owing it huge debt.

“The Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) hereby informs its esteemed customers of the retaliatory and illegal action of the Oyo State Government over the issue of its huge indebtedness.

“The Oyo state Government on Wednesday 9 February 2022 commenced the sealing of our offices within the state over some suddenly contrived debts labelled revenue bills and personal income without due notification.

“This issue of revenue bills and personal income arising now is quite suspicious,” said a statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer, IBEDC, Engr. John Ayodele.

He said the Oyo State Government is owing IBEDC a whopping consumption outstanding of N450 million for over a period of three years.

Ayodele explained that the company, as part of efforts to get the outstanding paid initiated several engagements through correspondences and physical meetings, but that all these efforts yielded no result.

“No business in this country can run successfully with such a huge outstanding, the power we distribute to customers must be accounted for and paid for, we have no choice but to disconnect the Oyo State Secretariat, so it is worrisome to see that the government has sealed off our offices with this underhand and arm twisting tactics, instead of paying the debt owed.

“This was not done in good faith and it would have damaging effect on the business and service delivery to our customers,” he said.

He appealed to the State Governor, Seyi Makinde to look into the matter in the interest of all concerned as this would further exacerbate the power challenges and pressure on residents and commercial activities within the state.

“IBEDC engages in essential services to the public and the effect of this arm twisting tactics can at best be imagined if not quickly arrested,” he said.