The Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (OSERB) has fined the Benin Electricity Distribution Company Ondo Limited (BEDCOL) N2 million for illegally disconnecting metered customers in the Ifesowapo area of Akure metropolis.
The State Coordinator of OSERB, Engr. Stephen Bolawole, disclosed this in a letter addressed to the Acting Managing Director of the electricity service provider on Friday.
Bolawole stated that the company allegedly disconnected some electricity consumers in Ifesowapo, Zone A of Ijigba Community, Kajola, Oda Road, Akure, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, without prior notice, thereby depriving them of access to electricity services.
According to him, this action contravenes the Ondo State Electricity Power Sector Law of 2020.
He noted that OSERB had received complaints from customers in parts of the state capital, alleging that BEDCOL had disconnected them despite being properly metered.
In a letter jointly signed by OSERB’s Director of Legal Affairs, Barr. Justice B. Uguoji, and Director of Consumer Affairs, Mr. Ladele Ambrose, the Bureau confirmed, after thorough investigation, that the consumers’ complaints were valid.
The letter reads in part:“The attention of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau has been drawn to the illegal disconnection of some electricity consumers in Ifesowapo, Zone A of Ijigba Community, Kajola, Oda Road, Akure, on December 17, 2024, by your organization, led by Mrs. Christiana (the newly posted marketer) and Mr. Razaq Lawal.
“Take notice that the Bureau has, over the past four days, been inundated with complaints from electricity consumers regarding the illegal disconnection from the transformer by your office, in collaboration with officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
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“This action has caused untold hardship to the affected households and generated significant public concern.
“OSERB investigated the complaints and confirmed their validity. Consequently, we draw your attention to the relevant sections of the Ondo State Electricity Power Sector Law 2020 and the associated sanctions.
“Recall that the electricity market in the state, including your organization’s activities, is regulated by laws that must be strictly adhered to in your operations.
“It is evident that your actions fell short of standard procedures, as you failed to notify the affected consumers of any infractions before abruptly disconnecting their power supply.
“To make matters worse, you also disconnected electricity consumers who are lawfully metered.
“We draw your attention to Section 64(3)(a) of the Ondo State Electricity Power Sector Law, 2020, which stipulates: ‘A corporate organization which willfully or negligently allows its agents to disrupt lawful electricity connections or installations commits an infraction and shall be liable to a fine of N2,000,000.00 in the first instance. Additionally, a penalty of N25,000.00 per day shall apply for each day the infraction continues after notice in writing from the State Electricity Regulatory Bureau or Taskforce requiring reconnection.’
“You are hereby directed to reconnect the affected electricity consumers within 24 hours of receiving this letter.
“Furthermore, you are directed to pay the penalty of N2,000,000.00 to the Ondo State Electricity Support Fund Account as stipulated by law.”
The regulatory bureau warned that if BEDCOL failed to pay the fine within the stipulated time, it would incur an additional daily penalty of N25,000.
The letter further states:“Take notice that failure to reconnect the affected consumers and pay the fine within the stated period will result in a daily fine of N25,000.00 for each day the offence persists.
“Take further notice that this letter serves as a formal letter of demand.”
