Photos: High Electricity Tariff Force Masquerades To Lead Protests

Masquerades are not left out of the biting effects of high electricity tariff in the country; and have now been forced to lead street protests against it.

The unusual move stirred neighbourhoods in in Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, under the jurisdiction of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

Residents, The Eagle learnt could no longer cope with the high electricity tariffs being slammed on them following a sudden movement of the community’s electricity billing regime from Band C to Band A.

It did not take long before they mobilized themselves and poured into the streeets, led by the two masquerades.

An unusual spectacle of the protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, singing pro”ests songs and dancing by the Bareke Roundabout in the metropolis, drew attention,.

The reason  for their protest was eloquently captured on the placards some of which read:, “Bring Us Back to Band C”, “Revert Omu-Aran to Band C”, Omu-Aran Youths Have Spoken Loudly”, “Omu-Aran Says No to Band A”, amongst others.

As against the old rate of between N10,000 and N15,000, there were indications that the high electricity tariff reflected on charges ranging from  N41,000 and N47,000 for the month of March.

This the protesters found unpalatable, blocking major streets and insisting that they would not stop the protests until they were listened to.

6 Point-Demand Of The Protesters

A statement signed by the President of Omu-Aran Development Association, Niyi Adeyeye, showed the grouse of the protesters centred on the following:

1. replacement of faulty transformers leading to inconsistent electricity supply in some key areas of the community,
2. reversion of the billing from Band A to the previous Band C
3. improvement of electricity supply,
4. Suspension of Band A billings and review of the current charges to reflect the old billing regime.
5. independent review of IBEDC service delivery in Omu-Aran to assess the relevance of the proper tariff regime classification,
6. immediate stoppage of overdraft purchase on pre-paid meters as well as stoppage of electricity consumers purchasing materials for faulty electricity equipments.”

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The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, while receiving the protesters in his palace, appealed for calm, saying that the community leaders were already discussing with the IBEDC officials the need to address the issues.

The Eagle reports that complaints over high electricity tariff is becoming increasingly common in the country, but whether these complaints would lead to any solution in the nearest future is yet to be seen.