Barely 48 hours after the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), restored power to the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State, after agreeing on a payment package with the hospital’s management, IBEDC has said power may be disconnected from UCH if its terms are not met.
UCH urged IBEDC to give it time to source funds to clear its bills, saying it would also not be able to make payment over the weekend as demanded by the power company.
In a letter addressed to IBEDC’s management, the hospital stated: “It has been noted that the hospital was reconnected to the grid yesterday based on the agreement that the balance of N52,439,217.94 from the N112,349.217.94 representing 25 per cent of the total outstanding bill will be paid within 48 hours. It is in view of this that we are pleading for your kind understanding that tomorrow (yesterday) being Saturday, the hospital will not be able to make payment. However, we promise to pay on Monday, 8 April 2024.
“In the same vein, we also solicit your endurance for the payment of the April bill plus the N50 million monthly repayment by 30 April 2024. This is to enable the hospital to have ample time to source for funds”.
Reacting to the letter, IBEDC countered: “Please note that the hospital was reconnected to the grid on 04/04/2024 and the balance of N52,439,217.94 from the N112,349,217.94 representing the 25 per cent of the total outstanding balance is expected to be paid not later than 6 pm on 06/04/2024 as agreed.
“Be reminded that your April 2024 electricity bill will be out by Monday 08/04/2024 which you are expected to pay in full plus the N50 million monthly repayment from the total outstanding debt not later than 16/04/2024.
“All the terms and conditions committed to are to be met for us to continue to serve the hospital, failure to which we would be left with no other choice than to withdraw our service again and reconnection will only be done this time after the full payment of the total outstanding balance”.
