No Light, No Pay: Sobi-Poly Feeder Communities Protest Power Outage, Demand Justice from IBEDC Ilorin Unit

Residents of Gaa-Saka to Madi axis and neighboring communities in the Oko-Olowo area of Ilorin have cried out over prolonged power outages and alleged negligence by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Ilorin Marketing Unit.

For several months, the affected communities have remained in total darkness without explanation or effort from IBEDC to restore electricity. Despite the blackout, residents say the company continues to distribute “outrageous” bills for power that was never supplied.

The aggrieved consumers, who fall under the 33KVA Sobi-Poly feeder, described the situation as “unjust and unacceptable,” stressing that it is unlawful to compel payment for services not rendered.

Quoting the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005, residents noted that electricity consumers across Nigeria are entitled to fair billing practices and reliable service delivery. They urged regulatory bodies to enforce accountability and end what they called “systemic extortion.”

Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, some residents insisted that their message to IBEDC remains firm: “No Light, No Pay.”

“We cannot continue to pay for darkness. Businesses are collapsing, students can’t read at night, and families are spending more on fuel and batteries while still being billed for unavailable power,” one resident lamented.

The communities called on the IBEDC Management, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Kwara State Government to urgently investigate the alleged negligence by the Ilorin Marketing Unit and ensure immediate restoration of power to the Sobi-Poly feeder communities.