By Seyifunmi Odunuga
The Licenced Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, LECAN, Oyo State chapter, on Monday questioned the Ibadan Electrical Distribution Company for failure to allow payment following the introduction of Form 74 as a bid to continue the old bill pattern of overcharging users.
According to the Chairman of the association, Adesola Sylvester Gbogi, “The issue of meter is the main purpose of our protest. We are gathered as regards the slow and unending process Form 74 takes; which is necessary for procurement of meters as outlined by IBEDC .
“The funny part is that for the past three to four months, we have submitted the forms and we find it difficult to make payment. Which is causing alot of havoc among the masses. 
“Our demand is that we want a situation whereby the processing and procurement of meters shouldn’t last beyond two to three weeks. So that it will be more easy for all of us.
“They should give us opportunity to make payments for the meter procurement, then we will be waiting for them to come and install the meter within ten days but when we submit the form, instead for them to call us. They are now generating account for a new building, which it is inhumane.
“This is the reason we are here to see the Regional heads, and all concerned authorities. The procurement and process of meters shouldn’t last beyond ten days. 
The vice chairman of the association, Apata branch, Hon. Rasheed A Adesola, noted, “this has become messy situation for us, and probably to them too. For an instance, those people who submitted since January have not been granted account.
“When we take these files to IBEDC, they requested for money and some of us paid them and yet there’s no acoount. There’s no way forward. We are frustrated.
Equally speaking a member of the association, Olalelake Oseni noted that, “despite the fact that some staff requested for token to accelerate our applications, and we still having serious troubles. 
“When we submit the forms, most of the officers are requesting for token from us. Some of our members were forced to give to no positive end. Now, integrity has become a serious note of concern.
“I think the best way to sovle the problem is to create a working account-system that encourages transparency. We don’t think this should have been a problem considering this 21st century advancement in technology and banking.
“The deny is causing alot of havoc. We don’t want them to think we are doing somethingn wrong , or not competent in our job. We are pleading with them to make life easy for us and the masses at large.
“The danger is that when the masses that pay for the acquisition of meter are in darkness would sort for alternative means. That’s Alternative remains illegal to management of IBEDC. So what’s the way forward for us and the masses?”.
