…calls for urgent government intervention
Hon. Bonu Solomon Sannu, representing Badagry Constituency 1, in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has expressed deep concern over the prolonged four-year power outage affecting Badagry West.
While presenting the motion titled “Prolonged power outage in Badagry west and urgent need for intervention” under matters of urgent public importance on Thursday, October 31, Hon. Sannu, who chairs the House Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, highlighted the severe socio-economic strain faced by affected communities, including Gbaji, Apa, Owode, Kweme, Seme, and Asipa.
“Badagry serves as Nigeria’s gateway from Lagos in the southwest, yet it remains in darkness due to failing energy infrastructure,” he lamented, highlighting that Badagry is a historically significant area facing a lack of modern amenities.
He pointed out that electricity to the area relies on two outdated lines—33KVA and 11KVA—from a substation in Agbara, Ogun State. Infrastructure decay and a lack of maintenance have made power outages frequent, especially with any rainfall.
Hon. Sannu raised specific concerns, noting the rampant vandalism and theft of electrical infrastructure, which has further delayed restoration.
He also recalled that initial electricity infrastructure was put in place during the tenure of former Governor and Military Administrator, Mohammed Buba Marwa (1996-1999), saying that it now lies in disrepair.
He said the power outage has worsened local hardships, stalling economic growth and exposing residents to greater insecurity risks.
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The lawmaker said: “Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, I stand before the House to highlight the critical and prolonged power outage impacting Badagry West, including communities like Gbaji, Apa, Owode, Kweme, Seme, Asipa etc. For four years, these areas have been without electricity, leading to significant socio-economic challenges.
“Badagry is the point of entrance into Nigeria through Lagos in South-West, it saddens seeing this communities in total blackout owning to power energy Infrastructural deficiency.
“Despite Badagry is civilization Community in Lagos, Nigeria, yet still suffer modern civilization infrastructure such as Electricity. Electricity power supply to this axis is being connected through two lines of 33KVA and 11KVA from substation in Agbara Ogun state. Due to infrastuture decay with little or no improvement in facilities upgrading and maintenance culture, power supply trip-off always occurs at little rainfall least we talk of heavy rainfalls.”
Hon. Sannu therefore urged the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, alongside the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy & Rural Development, to urgently assess and rehabilitate the electricity infrastructure in Badagry West.
He also called on the Eko Electricity Distribution Company to collaborate with relevant ministries for a sustainable power restoration plan.
He urged the House Committees to monitor and report on the intervention’s progress.
Additionally, Hon Sannu tasked the federal government to establish a new substation in Badagry to better serve the community.
He implored his colleagues to support the motion, stating, “Let us restore electricity and uplift the lives of Badagry West residents.”