LEADERSHIP has gathered that the University of Ilorin‘s monthly electricity bill has jumped from N70million to N230million.
Consequently, the university‘s management is devising new measures to reduce its spending on electricity supply.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the institution‘s management was intensifying negotiations for cheaper alternative power supply solutions.
The vice chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), who reportedly expressed concern over the hike in electricity tariffs imposed by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), said the alternative power solutions being sought by the institution are expected to yield positive results soon.
In an email message sent to the university‘s staff and students, which LEADERSHIP sighted, Egbewole said that the institution‘s monthly electricity bill has skyrocketed from N70 million to N230 million, a situation he described as ‚‘unsustainable.‘‘
He stressed the urgent need for a critical reassessment of current electricity usage practices and appealed to staff and students to adopt more responsible electricity consumption habits and support the administration‘s efforts to implement cost-saving measures.
Therefore, he has directed that all new buildings under construction in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Environmental Science, Law, and Social Sciences include provisions for alternative power sources in their design.
He added that strategies are being developed to ensure that all faculties and units have reliable alternative power options.
Egbewole also stressed the importance of safeguarding the new facilities from theft and vandalism.