Residents of Love Estate in Ikorodu-Elepe, Lagos, have decried a five-month electricity blackout that has crippled businesses and left the community in darkness. The outage began in January when the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) removed the area’s only transformer for repairs but failed to restore power despite residents donating a new N15 million transformer.
Frustrated homeowners told newsmen that despite purchasing and handing over a 500KVA transformer to IKEDC, the power distributor has refused to energize it or return the old one. The prolonged blackout has forced businesses to rely on expensive fuel-powered generators, while residents face security risks due to increased criminal activity under the cover of darkness.
Emmanuel Ayanda, a resident, said the community pooled funds to buy the new transformer after IKEDC showed no urgency in fixing the faulty one. “We’ve spent millions on fuel, and our livelihoods are suffering,” he said. Business owner Ranti Olaniyi added that her income has plummeted, stating, “We deserve basic infrastructure. This situation is unbearable.”
The Community Development Association (CDA) has announced plans to stage a peaceful protest at IKEDC’s headquarters on Monday. CDA Chairman Segun Oni accused the utility company of ignoring multiple appeals, including letters to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). “Enough is enough,” he said.
IKEDC officials declined to comment, directing inquiries to their corporate affairs unit, which did not respond. Residents now urge Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and regulatory bodies to intervene and end the prolonged blackout.
