A community leader in Epe Division, Lago State, Ladi Kassim, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene in resolving the seven-month blackout plaguing the ancient community.

Mr Kassim made the plea during an interview in Epe on Tuesday.

According to him, the prolonged power outage has adversely affected businesses and damaged household equipment, causing untold hardship on the residents.

He said, “Epe has been in complete darkness for the past seven months, and this has left businesses struggling to survive. Many business owners have suffered setbacks due to the poor electricity supply in the community.’’

According to Mr Kassim, some residents are abandoning their businesses for other ventures, which is not good for economic growth.

“Millions of naira have been lost to this recurring power outage in our ancient town,” he said.

Mr Kassim urged the Mr Sanwo-Olu-led administration to step in and provide lasting solutions to the persistent power challenges facing the community.

He commended the local authorities, including the council chairman and legislators in Epe, who have been working tirelessly to restore electricity but have so far been unsuccessful.

The community leader decried the activities of cable and other electrical material vandals, which he said were frustrating the government’s efforts at ensuring electricity in the area.

“Electrical and cable vandalism must be addressed with urgency. Anyone found culpable in such acts should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent,” he said.

He applauded the contributions of traditional rulers, government security agencies, Epe lawmakers, and youth groups in their collective efforts to restore power and secure electrical infrastructure in the community.

(NAN)