Some residents of the Ibeju Lekki Area of Lagos State are demanding a resolution to the prolonged power outage in their communities and calling for swift action from the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

The protesters, who are landlords and residents of 10 communities in Ibeju Lekki, converged at Military Quarters at Eleko Junction to protest the neglect by EKEDC while recounting the impact of the power outage on their daily lives.

The Initiative for Global Advocacy (IFGA) represented the communities to advocate for the restoration supply.

Michael Popoola, chairman of Military Quarters, Eleko, said the residents had been without electricity for over four years.

Mr Popoola stated that despite being asked by EKEDC to procure electrical facilities independently, the company had yet to supply power to their communities.

Masheni Johnson, the founder of the NGO, who spoke on behalf of the communities, explained their efforts to engage with EKEDC.

Mr Johnson said a meeting was held with EKEDC on April 25, where it was acknowledged that there had been no electricity supply to the Ibeju Lekki area for over four years.

According to him, EKEDC promised to address the issue but failed to fulfil it.

He said: “EKEDC management quickly ran to make a publication titled; ‘Power Update’ with a promise of heavy power shedding to the residents of Ajah, LBS, Sangotedo Abijoh, Awoyaya, Oribanwo, Lakowe, Bogije, Kajola, Igondo, Eleko and its environs between May 3 and June 3 2023.

“EKEDC also confirmed that the two major transformers, meant to supply electrical power to the Ibeju Lekki area, have been relocated to an unknown destination by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) some years ago, thereby leaving Ibeju Lekki area in alter darkness for years,” Mr Johnson alleged.

He called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to conduct a forensic audit of EKEDC to assess its financial stability to continue operating in the electricity distribution business.

“The villages in the beachside such as Eleko inside, Iberekodo, Orimedu, Akodo, Magbon Alade, Refinery, Lekki Idasho, Badore, Idasho, Folu and the rest of other villages in the Eleko environs has resulted to faith by waiting for Dangote Refinery to start operation and supply them electricity,” he stated.

In his response, Babatunde Lasaki, a spokesperson for EKEDC, said the federal government and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) intervention are required to construct a 330/132KV substation in the area for even power distribution.

Mr Lasaki explained that the current TCN station at Ajah is inadequate for the area’s power needs, and constructing a new substation remains the permanent solution.

He assured the residents that efforts were being made to expedite the construction of the new substation.

(NAN)