The Olomu of Omu-Aran in Kwara, Oba Charles Ibitoye, has commended the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for the distribution of free prepaid meters to its customers in Omu-Aran district. He gave the commendation while addressing members of the Artisan Congress of Nigeria, Omu-Aran chapter, in his palace in Omu-Aran on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IBEDC had, a few days ago, begun free installation of 517 meters under its Free Prepaid Meters Roll-out Scheme to customers in the district. Omu-Aran district comprises Offa, Ajase-Ipo, Oro, Oke-Onigbin, Oko, Osi and Egbe, among others.

The project, according to Mr Waliu Sanni, IBEDC Omu-Aran District Manager, was aimed at curbing energy wastage and enhanced efficient service delivery. The monarch said by the gesture the company had demonstrated its commitment to ensure the socio-economic well being of the people of the community.

Ibitoye opined that the decision could reduce the unwarranted tension occasioned by the old practice of estimated billing imposed on the people by the company. He said the community was in dire need of more socio-economic development initiative, following the negative impact of the indefinite closure of commercial banks in the area.

"This IBEDC gesture is highly commendable and a welcome development. "To us, it could not have come at a better time than now when this community is seriously yearning for more positive development.

"We are still battling with the negative impact of the closure of banks more than three years ago. "It is our hope that the banks will follow same trend and re-open their branches in the interest of the people, " he said.

In his remark, Mr Bidemi Olawuyi, the National Secretary Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA), pledged the association's support to IBEDC in its quest to raise the living standard of the people of the community.

In his speech, Sanni, IBEDC Business Manager in the district, said the company had embarked on the data capturing of customers in district. This, he said, would assist to bridge the information gap and enhanced good customer relations between the company and its teeming customers.(NAN)