Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has summoned the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over persistent blackout in Osogbo and other major towns in the state, describing the situation as “unbearable for residents”.

In a statement issued yesterday, by the governor’s spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed, he lamented that field reports confirmed the worsening power supply and the negative effects on businesses and residents, affirming that the IBEDC needs to explain the challenges with a view to finding a lasting solution.

He said: “I have received widespread complaints from all our major towns. Businesses are grinding to a halt. We cannot continue like this. I am inviting the management of the IBEDC for brainstorming to find a way out.

“As much as we know that the power sector is capital intensive and despite the fact that the matter is a national challenge, Osun is suffering a lot. We must work together with IBEDC for a short term solution.

“As a government, the medium and long term solution is to diversify sources of energy supply. Renewable energy is a sustainable alternative but it must be affordable. Our government is working hard to support the renewable energy sector. “Our state now has the Osun Electricity law.

Before long, we are setting up the Osun Electricity Regulatory Commission to licence power generating companies and regulate the power market system. “This will open up the state energy sector and also protect the best interest of IBEDC customers.