Residents of Love Estate in Ikorodu-Elepe, Lagos, are demanding answers over a five-month power outage in Ikorodu. The blackout began in January when their only transformer was taken for repairs by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC). Since then, the community has remained in darkness, with no replacement or reconnection.
In response, the residents raised ₦15 million to buy a new transformer, which was handed over to IKEDC. But the company has neither returned the old transformer nor energised the new one. The continued blackout has paralysed businesses, disrupted daily life, and exposed the area to insecurity.
“We bought a new transformer but IKEDC left us in darkness”
Mr Emmanuel Ayanda, a resident, said: “Immediately the estate’s transformer developed a fault and IKEDC was not forthcoming, the community contributed ₦15 million to purchase a 500KVA new transformer which was donated to IKEDC.”
He added that despite submitting all documents, the company refused to connect it. “We’ve spent a lot buying fuel for generators for the past five months,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs Ranti Olaniyi, expressed frustration. “We have been left in total darkness, and our daily lives have been severely disrupted. My turnover has dropped drastically,” she said. “We deserve basic infrastructure and reliable electricity to live and work with dignity.”
Mr Ayo Ikuomola confirmed the transformer was removed on January 3. After months of no response, the community took action. “We donated a new transformer. Yet, neither the old transformer returned nor the new one energised,” he said.
He added, “Since the power outage began, I’ve spent over ₦1 million on fuel. This is frustrating. Women and children roam daily just to fetch water or charge phones.”
Ikorodu residents plan peaceful protest at IKEDC office
Tired of the silence, residents held an emergency meeting on Saturday. They vowed to stage a peaceful protest at the IKEDC headquarters in Ikeja on Monday. Mr Segun Oni, Chairman of the Community Development Association, said: “We have been in darkness for more than five months now, and we cannot continue like this.”
He explained that the faulty transformer was taken by IKEDC for repair in January but has not been returned. “We donated a new 500KVA transformer and wrote several letters to NERC and government agencies, but nothing has changed.”
He added: “We appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other concerned authorities to come to our aid. Enough is enough.”
When contacted, Samuel Odukoya, Head of Technical Unit, IKEDC Business Unit, Ikorodu, declined to comment. He referred NAN to the Corporate Affairs unit in Ikeja. All efforts to reach Kingsley Okotie, IKEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, were unsuccessful.
Residents want power restored after long outage in Ikorodu
After five long months of blackout, residents say the power outage in Ikorodu is unbearable. They have done their part by purchasing and donating a transformer. Now, they are calling on IKEDC and the authorities to act. “We want electricity restored. We cannot continue in darkness,” the residents declared.
