By: IndyPress News Desk
An open letter, by the University of Ibadan Students’ Union, has set a 7-day ultimatum for the Federal Government’s intervention on the protracted and ‘deplorable’ electricity blackout at the University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan.
As previously reported by IndyPress, the persistent power outages have made delivery of healthcare services, as well as learning experiences of UI student-doctors, who reside in both Alexander Brown and Falase Halls, dishonorable.
The 2-page open letter hinted that the origin of the current electricity debacle stemmed from a policy of price reforms introduced by the Ministry of Power in April 2024.
FG’s Electricity Policy and its Vertical Effects
In April 2024, the vice chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Musiliu Oseni, said that an imminent increase would take effect in the sector. The policy which was to be effected aimed at putting an axe on electricity subsidy for 15% of consumers in a bid to reduce the sector’s $2.6 billion cost.
The Nigerian Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu also told journalists in April that the government’s decision with regards to the new tariffs was final and irreversible.
Mr. Adelabu argued that the government was already subsidizing a substantial portion of the electricity cost, emphasizing that the government provides a large portion of the cost of producing, transmitting, and distributing electricity.
Back then, when many Nigerians and stakeholders from the manufacturing sector were quick to express their anger at this hike in tariffs, with a warning that many businesses could go bankrupt following the move, the University of Ibadan management, the University College Hospital, and the University of Ibadan Students’ Union had no stance on the concern in the wake of the policy.
As early as March 2024, FIJ reported that the blackout had reached a stage where doctors performed surgeries with phone lights.
Earlier, in February, news made rounds that the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) decided to halt the supply of power to UCH over an unpaid N500 million electricity bill.
Affecting patients, doctors and the student community, (that is, the College of Medicine, UI), the policy has stripped the University College Hospital of an ability to effectively thrive and pay its accrued debt.
Recall that IndyPress had reported the deplorable experiences of students at the Alexander Brown Hall.
Students have had difficulties to access water, charge their devices and use electricity for other designated purpose (s).
The UI’SU Ultimatum
Team Amelioration, the incumbent leadership of the Students’ Union, has notably promised to embark on a protest if her demand is unaddressed.
“As such, we give the Federal Government a 7-day ultimatum to address these pressing issue. Failure to act within this stipulated time will leave us with no option but to mobilize and protest against this continuous neglect by the government,” the open letter reads.
Despite the lingering concern and its mould of effects especially on students, the University of Ibadan management, under the headship of Professor Kayode Adebowale, has maintained a position of silence.
There has been no official communication with the student community, IndyPress reports.
