I Bring Hints from the Ilesa City Hall Meeting Presided Over by Oba Aromolaran II

Friday, November 21st, 2019, I participated at the Ilesa City Hall meeting, called by His Imperial Majesty, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II. The meeting attended by chiefs from different Ilesa communities, community leaders, representatives of different associations and some invited government functionaries that included the new General Manager of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Mr. Akinrinola Folasayo and some senior members of his staff and the Divisiona Police Officerm (DPO), of Nigeria Police Force "A" Division, CSP Martins Bamgboye with other security agencies, served as  a way for the Kabiyesi and his people to meet and to hear from top officials and discuss on topics of interest.

At the meeting the IBEDC General Manager, Mr. Akinrinola Folasayo reported on the current situations of electricity supply and security issues in Ilesa city respectfully and participants were given ample opportunity to respond, ask questions and enter into discussion. Hence, Oba Aromolaran, the IBEDC officials led by the Manager, the Security operatives led by DSP Martins and the representatives of the Ilesa people were at their best as they had the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share updates.

Mr. Akinrinola Folasayo the IBEDC manager, spent enough time to explain the organizational policies and the plans and goals the company. He informed the meeting that the his staff that include many new well trained new hands are now back at the oke-omiru white house and the work at the Isokun distribution station has been accomplished. On the persistent irregular electricity supply in the city, he explained that his company is not the supplier but they are the distributor.

Also, the IBEDC Manager informed the meeting that pre-paid meters are now available but about 911 consumers that have applied and paid in advance shall be considered before new applicants as enjoined the consumers to report any erring  staff of the company to his office. He emphasized that no staff of the company is given the right to disconnect consumers electricity without authorization paper emanating from his office.

In their various reactions, Chief Adewole Olomola advice the company to provide pre-paid meters for all consumers to forestall the practice of imaginary and exorbitant "crazy-bills" being given to some consumers. Mr. Akin Ajayi-Obe advised the company to organize community meetings with the consumers and the Manager should have delegated representatives for each community.

In his reaction, Oba Aromolaran implored the management of the IBEDC to ask for more electricity supply for Ilesa city to so that a good number of the consumers may be able to enjoy light at the same time as against the current practice of rotation. He also asked for the company to ensure that all consumers with pre-paid meters. He also advise Ilesa communities to constitute committees to in charge of electricity.

Presenting his report on security situation of the city the DSP Martins Bamgboye pinpointed the nefarious activities of secret cults among the youth and land gabbers popularly known as "Omo Onile" who specialized on forcefully encroaching on the land of those who come to develop their land in Ilesa and forcing the to part with some money.

He appealed on the people to cooperate with the Security Agencies emphasizing that security is everybody's business. He specially showered encomium on the Honorable representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency at the National House of Representatives, Hon. L. B. Ayeni who has repaired the two operational vehicles attached to the Vigilante Group and recently bought two new ones.

In his reaction, Oba Aromolaran appealed to the youth who constitute the "Omo Onile" to relate with a committee headed by the the Arojo of Irojo as efforts are being made to appease them, particularly those that are disturbing the company that are currently installing distribution water pipes for the multi-million dollars Ilesa Water Project.