…As power shortage ravages facility
By Doris Obinna
Management of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, has accused Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, of forcing the hospital into Band A, stating that despite paying N60 million in the past month, the power company two weeks ago disconnected the health facility.
It disclosed that IBEDC had disconnected the hospital even after paying millions of naira and accused the federal government of keeping mum over the outrageous bills.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo said despite efforts to meet its obligations, the power company has remained adamant in charging the highest rates and is unfazed by the humanitarian services rendered by the nation’s premier tertiary hospital.
“It would be recalled that IBEDC had several times disconnected the hospital this year citing unpaid accumulated debts.
“We have been making efforts to pay. IBEDC forced us on Band A. Our latest bill for one month is N99 million. We paid N60 million but they refused to reconnect us,’’ said the CMD.
Highlighting analysis of payment scheduled offered by the UCH, which indicates that the power company sent a bill of N723, 095, 841.55 from January 1, 2019 to November 10, 2024 while the hospital has paid N676, 990,174.04, Otegbayo lamented, “the distribution company has, against all entreaties, categorised this hospital a business concern.”
The hospital management, in a memo circulated on November 5, 2024, acknowledged the “chaotic and unbearable experience” arising from the disconnection by IBEDC and pleaded with staff, students and patients to exercise patience while alternative power sources are being strengthened.
“Management has initiated the process to ensure that power is restored to the hospital as soon as possible.
“Nonetheless, provision of alternative power supply to some critical areas in the hospital, with priority to the service areas which are in high demand, has been put in place through generators and solar panels/inverters, as well as pumping of water to all areas of the hospital,” the memo explained.