REsidents of the four local government areas in Akoko Division of Ondo State are aggrieved over lack of electricity in the communities in the past one year. Sources hinted that the people might remain in total darkness indefinitely due to the vandalisation of Benin Electricity Development Corporation (BIDEC) equipment, cable theft and other atrocities that are rampant due to long time blackout.
The development had made many residents to lose confidence in the activities of BIDEC.Already, many artisans who are relying on electricity to operate have relocated from Akoko land or forced themselves to buy generating set, while many have turned to farmers for lack of patronage.
It was learnt that the transformers in area like Alapata, Ilepa and Okela in Ikare Akoko were said to have been stolen while many towns and villages are suffering similar fate. A community leader from Afin -Akoko, Alhaji Ibrahim kilani, described the present economic condition of Akokoland as very traumatic and hopeless.
According to him, how can bussiness thrive in an environment where here is no electricity The activities of night marauders are increasing under the guise of indefinite black out. kilani urged all stakeholders in Akoko to have a summit to discuss the problem.An indusrialist from Oke-agbe, Prince Emanuel Adetiba, attributed the black out to high cost of production which made commodities prices go up daily. Adetiba regretted that this trend led many to fold up or re-locate.