Adelabu Directs IBEDC to Rollout 59,000 Free Meters

On Saturday, Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, issued a directive to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to fast-track the rollout of 59,000 free prepaid meters allocated to customers within its franchise area. This directive was part of Adelabu's work visit to IBEDC's headquarters in Ibadan, aimed at understanding the company's operations and identifying areas for government intervention to strengthen performance.

The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's broader plan to reform the power sector and ensure reliable electricity supply nationwide. Adelabu expressed concern over the slow pace of deployment and urged IBEDC to prioritize early meter deployment to restore customer confidence, reduce losses, and improve revenue collection.

He highlighted the need for the company to address energy theft and billing disputes while encouraging the exploration of embedded generation opportunities. The rollout is part of a federal government recovery program to enhance the distribution sector's performance by October 2025.