LAGOS, Nigeria – Residents from several communities in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos are protesting against a longstanding power outage, calling for urgent action from the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC.
The residents staged a demonstration at Military Quarters, Eleko Junction, on Friday, July 7, 2023, expressing the severe impact the power outage has had on their daily lives.
The Initiative for Global Advocacy, IFGA, an advocacy group, also participated in the protest.
According to Mr Michael Popoola, Chairman, Military Quarters, Eleko, the communities have been without electricity for over four years.
Despite residents procuring electrical facilities independently as requested by EKEDC, the company has failed to supply power to their communities.
Mr Masheni Johnson, the founder of IFGA, accused EKEDC of not fulfilling their promise to address the issue, which was discussed in a meeting held on April 25, 2023.
“EKEDC also confirmed that the two major transformers, meant to supply electricity 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,” Johnson stated.
In response, Mr Babatunde Lasaki, General Manager, Corporate Communications Department, EKEDC, acknowledged the need for a new 330/132KV substation in the area to meet power demands.
Lasaki assured the residents that efforts were being made to expedite the construction of the new substation.
Despite these promises, Johnson has urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to conduct a forensic audit of EKEDC to assess their financial stability to continue operating in the electricity distribution business.
He further urged NERC to direct EKEDC to refund the money spent by residents on procuring electricity facilities and to ensure that EKEDC supplies power to the Ibeju Lekki area within seven days.
The prolonged power outage has significantly impacted communities including Ajah, LBS, Sangotedo-Abijo, Awoyaya, Oribanwo, Lakowe, Bogije, Kajola, Igondo, Eleko, Iberekodo, Orimedu, Akodo, Magbon Alade, Refinery, Lekki Idasho, Badore, Idasho, Folu, and other villages in the Eleko environs.
