There will be no disconnection of electricity to indebted customers during the period of lockdown to curb the spread of Coronavirus, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC) has said.
The utility firm in a statement by its Chief Operating Officer, Mr John Ayodele in Lagos on Friday, said the company was concerned about the wellbeing of its customers.
According to him, the embargo on mass disconnection was in recognition of the precarious and tense situation pervading the country and the whole world occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: “IBEDC is a customer centric organisation, 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 it 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,” he said.
Ayodele said the policy was also to ensure safety of its staff and customers.
IBEDC said it has temporarily recalled its staff on non-essential duties from the field.
He said this was part of the COVID -19 safety protocols of social distancing and limiting physical contact.
Ayodele reassured customers that this would not in any way hinder or disrupt services.
“However, we will continue to advise our customers of their bills electronically through emails and SMS.
“Also, 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 and WHO safety protocols,” he said.
Ayodele urged customers to take advantage of alternate hassle free payment channels to pay or vend.
