The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has issued a stern warning to customers against energy theft, including meter tampering, illegal connections, and bypassing meters.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Friday, Angela Olanrewaju, Coordinating Head of Corporate Services at IBEDC, emphasized that offenders would face severe penalties, including three to five years’ imprisonment or fines, in accordance with Nigerian laws.
“Energy theft is the bypass of meters, line tapping, or unauthorised connection to power and non-payment or vending,” Olanrewaju explained.
She stated that IBEDC is empowered to disconnect offenders without notice and require them to pay for meter replacement, reconnection charges, and administrative fines.
Highlighting the dangers of meter tampering, Olanrewaju warned that it could lead to fire outbreaks or electrocution, and that energy theft deprives the power sector of funds meant for infrastructure and service improvement.
To combat the issue, she said IBEDC has implemented a multi-layered strategy and is working closely with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO) to investigate and prosecute offenders.
“Since early 2024, we’ve partnered with SIPTEO to identify, investigate, and prosecute meter tampering and illegal reconnection,” she said.
IBEDC is also deploying Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and smart meters to monitor usage and detect irregularities. Standardized meter installations are being introduced to prevent tampering.
On its metering goals, Olanrewaju revealed that IBEDC aims to achieve over 60% metering coverage by the end of 2025, leveraging several national programs:
- Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI)
- Disco Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP)
- Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF)
- Meter Asset Provider (MAP)
Under the MAP scheme, customers can apply via IBEDC’s portal, receive meter IDs, make payments, and have meters installed within 10 working days.
“These coordinated efforts have helped IBEDC install tens of thousands of meters, significantly advancing our goal of full metering,” she concluded.
