The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Power outage

  • Residents protest eight-month power outage in Ondo

    Residents protest eight-month power outage in Ondo

    Commercial activities were Monday paralysed for several hours in Kajola High School and Araromi Communities of Akure South Local government area of Ondo State, as residents protested the non-availability of electricity in the past eight months.

    Artisans and Youths in their large numbers trooped to the streets and blocked all major roads in the area. Many motorists and commuters were stranded.

    The Protest, which lasted for several hours forced shops and business owners to hurriedly closed for business.

    Residents accused the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of insensitivity to their complaints.

    Men of the Ondo State Police Command were however in place to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    Speaking on behalf of the landlord Association, Otaru Eshimakhe said the community had made several efforts to the BEDC over the issue, but no action

    He said the power outage in the community had affected the economic and commercial activities in the area, saying many businesses had collapsed.

    His words” We have been in total darkness for over eight months now and BEDC has not been responding to our plights.

    “Majority of our artisans have closed down, why others are leaving the community as a result of the prolonged power outage. We are pleading with the BEDC to have mercy on us and restore our light”.

    The Business Manager, Igbara-Oke Unit, Mrs. Iyabo Adefemi said the company was aware of the problem, stressing that the company was doing everything possible to restore light to the community.

    She noted that the transformer supplying electricity to the areas had been damaged, advising the residents to pay their bills for them to have a new transformer.

    “We are aware of the protest by the people and we have advised them in our meetings to pay their debts. They are owing us over N29million, but through several reconciliation of accounts, the bill had been reduced to N11million.

    “If they pay, we will work on the faulty transformer for them to have light. We can’t use payments from other communities to repair their damaged transformer.”

  • Ekiti community groans under one-year power outage

    Ekiti community groans under one-year power outage

    WE the people of Omuo-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State are groaning under the hardship imposed on us by lack of electricity for over one year.

    The prolonged blackout has paralysed social and economic activities in our hometown which is located on the boundary with Ondo and Kogi states.

    We have made several representations to the office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to restore power to our community and save the businesses of artisans and residents from total collapse.

    Majority of artisans and traders whose jobs rely on electricity have closed their shops became okada riders to keep body and soul together.

    The situation has triggered a mass exodus of youths and school leavers from the community to cities that boast of better power supply.

    We have visited the BEDC office on this very appalling power situation in Omuo but our efforts have not yielded any fruit.

    But the officials of the electricity company only promised to look into our complaints but no action has been taken so far on the situation.

    Our people now depend on generating sets as source of power but fuelling them is expensive and eating deep into our pockets.

    Those in government should be able to provide social amenities to citizens who gave them their mandate at election.

    Apart from the prolonged power outage, we are also appealing to the state government to urgently repair the Ikole-Omuo Road and Isinbode-Omuo Road because they have now become deathtraps to motorists and commuters plying them.

    We also decry the abandonment of Omuo, one of the largest towns in Ekiti State, by the state government despite the promises made to the electorate at the last governorship poll which had not been fulfilled.

  • Festac residents lament power outage

    Some residents of 21 Road, Z Close in Festac Town, Lagos have lamented the poor electricity supply in the area. They are calling on Governor Akinwumi Ambode and the electricity distribution firm to come to their aid.

    The residents said the power outage was affecting their daily activities.

    A resident, Earnest Adeboye, lamented the incessant use of generator, saying it is hazardous to the health.

    “The use of generator is hazardous to my wife’s hypertensive health condition, but we have no option than to make use of it due to the uncomfortable weather. She suffered from a stroke a few years back. The noise of the generator is currently a threat to her condition,” he said.

    Another resident, Emmanuel Ofodile, said the power outage has caused ailments for his family members.

    “I am from a large family and we are struggling to fend for ourselves. My family members have come down with malaria due to mosquito bites, as a result of the incessant power outage. We do not have money to buy drugs, we are only trusting on God for divine intervention. We are always without light because we cannot afford to buy fuel for our generator,” he said.

    Ifeoma Okoye, a middle-age woman, said the power outage has made her to lose money.

    She complained that after she bought expensive food items and stored them in her freezer, they all got spoilt.

    “The rate at which I throw away expensive food stuff is becoming alarming.  I have lost money and this is not easy, considering the present state of the economy,” she said.

    Fiyin Adedeji, a pupil, said she looked unkempt while going to school. “Because we do not have light, I have had to go to school with my uniform not ironed,” she said.

    She said if the problem is solved, the residents would be relieved.

  • ‘Why there’s power outage at Igando’

    The shortfall in electricity supply at Igando, Lagos, has been attributed to frequent vandalism of transformer and other facilities.
    Head, Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric Plc., Felix Ofulue, stated this yesterday. He called for community support in protecting the infrastructure.
    He said: “The criminal activities have plunged the over 6,000 households and businesses in and around Igando into darkness.
    “In the last two week, over 24 transformers were vandalised in Igando, leaving our customers in darkness, and this is worrisome, considering the discomfort and economic loss to this community. It is troubling and intolerable because innocent customers are suffering.”
    According to him, replacing the stolen assets was at a huge cost and would take time.
    Ofulue explained that the company will partner security agencies to track culprits, and encouraged residents to report suspected vandals to the appropriate authorities.
    “These vandals sometimes operate from within the community; they keep the stolen assets somewhere and sell to someone. It is possible that one or two people may see something. So, we are calling on these vigilant and patriotic residents to speak up so we can nip this in the bud.
    “Don’t forget that as a business, it is counter-productive to keep replacing assets in a particular location, spending our limited resources, when we could be expanding the network and improving supply in another,” he added.

  • Yaba residents lament power outage, water shortage

    Residents of Casino Community in Yaba area of Lagos state have lamented power outage and lack of access to clean water.
    They called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to come to their aid, noting that they haven’t had light since their transformer exploded last year.
    A resident, who identified himself as Haruna said: “Since the transformer exploded last year, our light has not been stable and I spend over N1500 on fuel daily.”
    Mrs Aishat Issaolu said despite the fact that they hardly have light; the power distribution company would bring outrageous bills to the community.
    According to Mrs Yetunde Oluwatoyin, they travel miles to get water from public wells, while others, who could afford to buy do so.
    She said: “We travel miles to fetch water from public wells. The water is not clean and can only be used for washing and bathing. Some people fetch water from the bore hole of neighbouring churches, while others buy. We usually buy 25 liter for N200 but it has increased to N400. The Abokis get the water from boreholes, which are far from where we live.”

  • Community decries two months power outage

    Residents of Alaguntan Community in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos has decried two months power outage in the area due to a faulty transformer.

    Speaking through a representative, Mr Ayodeji Alade, a System Analyst on Omopelumi Street, the residents said the management of Ikeja Electric (IE) has not done anything to replace their faulty transformer.

    Alade said: “Our community, Alaguntan, has been peaceful and we have used our resources – both financial and moral – to support the operations of IE ever since it came on stream in November 2013. It’s so sad that every individual and communal effort has not been honoured by the company.

    “Two years ago, we had an issue with our transformer and made frantic efforts by replacing the same transformer. We even provided a relief transformer through MTN Foundation, but after a year, the same transformer was down again.

    “We have been thrown into darkness for close to two months by IE and they have not deemed it fit to bail us out of this predicament.

    “IE is not living up to its responsibility. Imagine calling the company just to change a damaged electric pole to save the lives of people; since August 2016, nothing has been done after lots of efforts, calls and emails,’’ he said.

    Another resident, Mr Samuel Adeyemi, a clearing and forwarding agent, said consumers in the area paid through sweat and blood for the running of the company.

    “It is on good record that poles, cable and even transformers are being provided by the residents for the company, yet there is no compensation for us.

    “It is high time we took the bull by the horn to get justice. We need justice, we need help, we cannot pay for the sins of those they claim are indebted to them and be put in darkness. We must be restored. Many residents have been patriotic enough to pay their bills.

    “If there is no power supply, business activities cannot move forward. We are spending so much on petrol, so we urge the company to support the community leaders who are willing to assist,’’ he said.

    Also, Mr James Igbe, a resident of 9, Salami Close, said the case of their transformer was a sad one.

    Igbe said it was pathetic that IE was linking the restoration of power supply in the community to the payment of outstanding bills.

    A youth, Kenneth Okoli, said that the transformer given to the community was a ‘refurbished one,’ which accounted for its breakdown in less than a year.

    “IE brought us a refurbished transformer about a year ago, and since then, we have not been enjoying power supply. The transformer is bad again and we are back in total blackout — for about two months now.

    “We are suffering in this place and we want the company to intervene; we spend huge money on fuel each day; there is heat and there is no water,’’ he said.

    A youth, Kenneth Okoye urged the IE to intervene in time before the residents run out of patience, stressing that it life had been difficult without power.

    When contacted, Mr Felix Ofulue, the Head, Corporate Communications Unit of the company, said the company would look into the problem.

    Ofulue said it was true that the transformer given to the community did not last for a year before it exploded.

    He said the company had sent its engineers to look into the reasons why the equipment was not performing optimally.

    Ofulue assured the residents that another transformer would be provided for the community soon. He appealed to the residents not to vandalise the equipment in their area.

  • Eko Disco apologises for prolonged power outage

    The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) yesterday apologised to consumers for prolonged power outage.
    A statement by its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Godwin Idemudia, said the outage followed a system collapse from the National Grid.
    It said the system collapsed on Sunday evening at about 7:30 p.m.
    Repairs, he said, were being carried out to bring the system back on line and restore power.
    Idemudia said the Ikeja West line comprising Agbara and Akoka was restored at 03:56 a.m.
    He said the other areas of Lagos would come on line soon.
    “We are therefore appealing to customers to bear with us as supply will be restored as soon as these repairs are concluded.
    “EKEDC highly regrets any inconveniences caused by this outage,” he added.

  • Ekiti community protest two-year power outage

    Ekiti community protest two-year power outage

    Hundreds of youths yesterday protested two-year power outage that has crippled social and economic activities in Ikogosi-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
    The youth accused the government of abandoning the famous Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, which has made the community famous.
    As early as 7.30 am, they marched on the streets singing war songs and accused the Benin Electricity Distribution of Company (BEDC) of putting the town in darkness.
    The protesters said the electricity company has not done anything to restore light to the community.
    The protesters blocked all the major roads leading in and out of the town.
    One of the protesters, Segun Alabi, called on authorities to intervene before the situation gets out of hand.
    Alabi condemned the alleged neglect of the tourist centre lamenting that the Ayo Fayose government failed to maintain the facilities left behind by the previous administration.
    He said government is a continuum, noting that the indigenes expect the Fayose administration to build on the efforts of its predecessor.
    President of Ikogosi Development Union (IDU) Rotimi Eso lamented the blackout in the town, which he said also affects two communities -Erijiyan and Ipole Iloro.
    Eso said the development has driven many people who depend on electricity out of business.
    He called on the government to intervene in the blackout and also save the tourist resort from decay.

  • Residents protest 90 days power outage at Arepo

    Residents protest 90 days power outage at Arepo

    Alausa, the Ikeja, Lagos corporate headquarters of Ikeja Electric (IE), received unusual guests yesterday: protesting customers demanding stable power supply, pre-paid meters and fairness in billing them.
    As early as 7.10am, the protesters from Arepo, a boundary community between Lagos and Ogun states had milled in front of the power distribution firm’s gate, displaying banners and placards.
    Passersby watched the protesters who chanted solidarity songs as they awaited attention from IE management.
    Policemen from the nearby Alausa station rushed to the scene, with some of them carrying guns and walkie-talkie.
    They stationed some of their vehicles in front of the firm’s gate, while some of them stood among the protesters.
    Some of the protesters’ placards bore the inscriptions: “Enough of Ikeja Electric excuses”; “Save Arepo from darkness”, and “Ikeja Electric is a fraud.”
    Others are: “Fashola must sack IE”, “NERC, please come to our aid”, “Restore our light”, “Say no to billing without light,” and “Journalists Estate says no to power outage.”
    Arepo Central Community Development Association (ACCDA) Vice President Nasir Salau, a lawyer, said the area had been without light in the last three months.
    He said the community had written several letters to IE without getting any response.
    “Despite the outage, the management keeps bringing estimated bills to us monthly.
    ‘We are here to tell them that enough is enough, we have brought with us letters to register our grievance.
    “We will no longer tolerate outrageous billings and the management should fix our supply,” he said.
    Journalists’ Estate Residents Development Association (JERDA) Chairman John Ajayi said IE had been punishing residents by putting them in darkness, adding that the protest was a last resort to liberate themselves.
    He said the firm should throw in the towel if it could not discharge its obligations to customers.
    “We are tired of excuses. All we want is light. If they cannot cope they should just quit and allow those with the requisite competence to take up the job”, Ajayi said.
    Mr Kuti Odukunle, who represented the Arepo Business Owners, said many businesses were folding up because of power outage.
    Odukunle said companies were spending close to N300,000 monthly to power their generators because of the outage.
    A protester, Mrs Judith Okeke, said two years ago, power supply was regular in the area, noting that things changed at the beginning of this year.
    She said: “When our children see electricity supply for about one to two hours, they will tell us that bills will soon come, and indeed they will come.
    “The most annoying part is that the bills they bring are always outrageous.
    “We are here to tell them that we are not pleased with their performance; they should quit if they cannot provide light for consumers.”
    At a meeting with the protesters’ representatives, IE Chief Executive Officer Mr Anthony Woudea, said the residents, had by action, shown that they were not satisfied with the firm’s services.
    He said the company’s engineers had rectified the fault from the supply feeders, stating that light was restored to the area last weekend.
    IE, Woudea said, has a model for installing meters community after community, promising that Arepo’s turn would come when the firm has overcome some challenges, such as, the sourcing of foreign exchange.
    He promised an improvement in supply to the area, henceforth, saying the protesters could come back if the firm reneged on its promise.

  • Eko Disco apologises to consumers over outage

    The Management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), has apologised to customers within its operational territory, over the power outage that lasted between 5 p.m. and 9:47 p.m. on Friday.

    A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, Mr Godwin Idemudia, on Saturday, in Lagos, said that the outage was due to a major transmission fault that resulted in a system collapse of the National Grid.

    “We are apologising to our customers who were affected by the outage for the inconveniences caused.

    “We assure that measures are in place for the immediate rectification of any fault occurring within the company’s network,’’ the news agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Idemudia as saying.

    He urged customers with any complaint relating to power supply or any aspect of the company’s services, to lodge such complaints.

    According to him, the complaints should be through the 24-hour Customer Care platform or the social media platform.

    Idemudia also urged members of the public to help protect power facilities in their area, against acts of vandalism by unscrupulous persons.