Residents of Abudu community in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State took to the streets on Saturday to protest the prolonged power outage that has plagued their community for over five years.
The aggrieved residents, who stormed the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) office, demanded immediate action to restore power to their community.
The protesters, who represented over 30 neighborhoods in the suburban area, decried the devastating effects of the power outage on their businesses and livelihoods.
According to them, the prolonged darkness has led to the collapse of many businesses, with many houses in the community now deserted.
Abdusalami Yusuf, one of the community leaders, spoke on behalf of the residents, expressing their frustration and disappointment with the IBEDC.
“We have been in darkness for over five years, and our businesses have collapsed. Many houses in our community are now deserted.
“We are tired of living in darkness, and we demand that IBEDC takes immediate action to restore power to our community,” he said.
Adebayo Rebecca, another resident, shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the toll the lack of power supply has taken on their lives.
“It is disheartening that our businesses and those of our husbands have suffered. Yet, we are still required to pay electricity bills every month.
“This is unacceptable, and we demand that IBEDC provides us with the services we are paying for,” she said.
Ogunnusi Niyi, another resident, highlighted the community’s peaceful disposition despite the challenge.
“We have been very civil and law-abiding when dealing with PHCN officials, but they have not reciprocated this goodwill toward us.
“We are not asking for too much; we just want to have access to electricity like other communities,” he said.
In response to the protesters’ demands, the technical engineer at the IBEDC, Waheed Lawal, assured the residents that efforts were underway to resolve the issue.
He disclosed that IBEDC was working on the construction and installation of equipment to restore power to the community within two weeks.
Lawal also invited some community representatives to visit the project site to witness the ongoing efforts firsthand, urging them to remain patient and hopeful.
“We understand the frustration and disappointment of the community, and we apologize for the inconvenience caused by the power outage.
“ We are committed to restoring power to the community, and we will do everything possible to ensure that this is done within the shortest possible time,” he said.
The residents, while expressing cautious optimism about the assurances, vowed to continue monitoring the situation to ensure that their plight is addressed without further delays.
They also warned that they would not hesitate to take further action if IBEDC fails to fulfill its promises.
The protest by the Abudu community residents is a reflection of the widespread frustration and disappointment with the electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.
The country has been plagued by power outages, and many communities have been left to suffer in darkness for years.
The Nigerian government has promised to address the power supply challenges, but the pace of progress has been slow.
The government has also been criticized for its handling of the power sector, with many accusing it of failing to provide effective leadership and oversight.
As the Abudu community residents continue to demand action from IBEDC, it remains to be seen whether their complaints will be addressed promptly.
Comment here