Residents of Alaguntan Community in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, are urgently appealing to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) to restore power to their area. The community has been without electricity since February when their transformer was taken for repairs.
The prolonged power outage has left residents vulnerable to attacks by criminals who exploit the cover of darkness. Additionally, it has severely disrupted local businesses and other activities reliant on electricity.
Mr Kingsley Okotie, the spokesperson for IKEDC, responded to inquiries through WhatsApp, stating: “The customers are being engaged in efforts to resolve the issue.”
In a letter titled ‘Save-Our-Soul,’ Mr Alade Ayodeji Oyekunle, Secretary of the Alaguntan Community Development Association (CDA), reported that the transformer on Taiwo Street, which serves approximately 100 households, has been missing for repairs since February.
According to Oyekunle, the distribution transformer, part of the Ikeja Electric Plc Feeder (11-AlimoshoNJ-T4-Oki Feeder), experienced technical issues in January 2024 and was removed from the community. Although it was initially replaced, the new transformer also malfunctioned and was subsequently sent out for routine maintenance following a formal complaint.
Despite multiple emails and messages sent to IKEDC’s secretariat (SR-5186587) and other concerned parties, the issue remains unresolved.
A complaint letter sent to Ikeja Electric on February 29, 2024, received an acknowledgement from the company: “Dear Esteemed Customer, we acknowledge receipt of your message and apologize for the inconvenience caused. Your complaint has been forwarded to the appropriate unit for resolution. Your query ticket number for future reference is SR-4986027.”
In a follow-up message dated August 7, 2024, IKEDC assured residents: “A follow-up with the relevant team regarding your complaint is already underway to expedite actions. We apologize for any inconvenience and assure you that we have contacted the relevant unit for prompt resolution.”
Despite these assurances, Oyekunle notes that power has not been restored, leaving the community without electricity for eight months. “It is deeply disheartening to report that we have had electricity for less than two months this year.
This ongoing blackout has severely affected communal living and business operations, with residents struggling to find water from neighbouring areas amid rising costs of fuel and diesel,” he said.
He also highlighted safety concerns due to poorly positioned wooden electric poles and LT cables, particularly on Omopelumi Close and Kokumo Road, which have been repeatedly reported to IKEDC without any response.
Oyekunle stated that while they have escalated their concerns to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), they are pleading with IKEDC to address their situation and alleviate the hardship caused by the lack of electricity.
