Residents of Ayetoro Community in Oto Awori Local Council of Lagos State took to the streets to protest four months of blackout in their area, calling on Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and the Managing Director of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to intervene urgently.
The protest, led by community leaders and youth representatives, highlighted the dire situation faced by residents who have been living in total darkness since January. According to the residents, the blackout began after officials of EKEDC removed the fuse from the transformer following complaints of epileptic power supply and high estimated bills.
Chief Ganiyu Kolawole, a community leader, lamented the years of enduring estimated bills, some as high as N80,000 to N100,000 per month despite inconsistent power supply. He recounted how the situation escalated in late December 2023 and early January 2024 when EKEDC officials removed the fuse, leaving the entire community without electricity for four months.
“The removal of the fuse was a punishment for daring to complain about the exorbitant bills we receive,” Chief Kolawole stated, underscoring the detrimental impact on small and medium businesses that depend on electricity to operate. Despite numerous letters to EKEDC’s head office, no action has been taken to restore power to the community.
Comrade Akoni Abdulazeez, the youth chairman, emphasized the ripple effect of the power outage, affecting schoolchildren’s ability to study at night and leading to the closure of businesses. He highlighted the growing insecurity in the community due to the lack of streetlights, urging swift intervention from the Lagos state government and EKEDC.
Residents, like Mrs. Olagbehinde Jumia, expressed frustration over the impact on their livelihoods, with businesses suffering and families unable to enjoy basic amenities. Chief Hassan, the Olori-ebi, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the toll on daily life and the community’s determination to seek justice.
The protesters called for the immediate restoration of electricity and an end to exorbitant billing practices, urging authorities to prioritize the welfare of residents. As the community continues to endure months of darkness, their plea for relief grows louder, emphasizing the urgent need for action to alleviate their suffering.