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The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has assured its customers that there would be no disconnection of electricity of customers owing the company. The company said the development was as a result of the government’s lockdown order occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Chief Operating Officer of IBEDC, Engr. John Ayodele, who made the disclosure in a statement, said the decision was based on the company’s recognition of what he described as “precarious and tense situation across the country and the whole world.”
He said the welfare and wellbeing of IBEDC customers is core to its heart, adding that as long as it is within its control, it will ensure regular and steady supply of power to make the stay -at -home period more bearable for the people.
“Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC) hereby informs its esteemed customers that there will be no disconnection of electricity to non-paying customers during this period.
“This is in recognition of the current precarious and tense situation pervading the country and the whole world occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“IBEDC is a customer -centric organization, with the welfare and wellbeing of its customers at heart.
“Therefore, management has decided to suspend the disconnection of non -paying customers to help alleviate the hardship and pressure Nigerians are facing as a result of the various lockdown across our franchise.
“Furthermore, as much as is within our remit and control we will ensure regular and steady supply of power to make the stay at home order more bearable bearing in mind the attendant challenges and pressure that this pandemic has brought on us.
“IBEDC in recognition of these, and to ensure safety of our staff and customers, have temporarily recalled our staff on non-essential duties from the field as part of the COVID -19 safety protocols of social distancing and limiting physical contact.
“We reassure our customers that this will not in any way hinder or disrupt our services. However, we will continue to advise our customers of their bills electronically by emails and SMS .
“Furthermore, our staff on essential duties the technical crew will be available to attend to faults speedily during this period, under strict supervision of our health, safety and environment team to ensure complete compliance to NCDC & WHO safety protocols.
“We urge our customers to take advantage of our alternate hassle free payment channels to pay or vend, namely Online (Quickteller, Jumia, Fetswallet and payarena) or USSD ( GTB,MCASH, Etranzact) for electricity, to reduce physical contact and likely exposure to the virus at crowded locations. They can also reach us through our call Centre number 0700 123 9999 or call their Business hubs directly to report faults or make enquiries.
“Finally, we appealed to our customers to be safe, stay safe and obey all the COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines.While we all continue to hope and pray that the Coronavirus ill wind will soon be a thing of the past,” Ayodele stated.