By Newsshelve Correspondent.
Residents of Lagos Island took to the streets on Monday morning, shutting down the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) head office at Marina for four hours.
The protesters, numbering over 600, were demonstrating against the total power blackout that has plagued their communities for four weeks.
The protesters, who were led by the chairmen of the various transformers in the affected areas, presented a list of demands to the EKEDC officials.
They called for the immediate restoration of power to their communities, a review of the exorbitant billing system, and the setting up of a monitoring committee to ensure that the power supply is stable and reliable.
The protesters also complained about the extortionate practices of the EKEDC officials, who they alleged were demanding bribes from residents before attending to faults and other issues.
They also expressed frustration with the metering system, which they claimed was inaccurate and resulted in exorbitant bills.
The chairman of the protesters, Ojulari Olatunji Lateef, addressed the crowd, lamenting the erratic power supply to their areas, which started early this year.
He said that despite their complaints to the EKEDC officials, the situation had only worsened, with the power supply becoming more erratic and the bills becoming more exorbitant.
Lateef presented a list of demands to the EKEDC officials, which included the immediate restoration of power to their communities, a review of the billing system, and the setting up of a monitoring committee to ensure that the power supply is stable and reliable.
The protesters also called for the removal of the EKEDC officials, who they alleged were incompetent and corrupt. They threatened to take further action if their demands were not met, including vandalizing the EKEDC equipment and facilities.
The EKEDC officials, led by the managing director, Rekia, appealed to the protesters to give them 24 hours to address their concerns. They promised to look into the issues raised by the protesters and to take immediate action to restore power to the affected communities.
The protesters eventually dispersed, but not before dumping their bills at the EKEDC premises. They vowed to return if their demands were not met, and to take further action to ensure that their communities receive a stable and reliable power supply.
The protest highlights the growing frustration among residents of Lagos Island with the poor power supply and exorbitant billing system.
It also underscores the need for the EKEDC officials to take immediate action to address the concerns of their customers and to provide a stable and reliable power supply.
The outcome of this protest will be closely watched by residents of Lagos Island and other communities across the state who are also struggling with poor power supply and exorbitant billing.
It will also be a test of the willingness of the EKEDC officials and the Lagos State Government to listen to the concerns of their customers and to take immediate action to address them.
Comment here