Install our transformer, Ejigbo residents beg IKEDC

For almost a year, residents of Segun Awolowo Street, Ejigbo, in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have been in perpetual darkness, as a result of their removal from a transformer in the area by the local undertaking office under the jurisdiction of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), on allegations of suspected overload on the power grid.

According to a release signed by the Secretary of the affected community, Mr. Segun Ojedokun and President, Chief Friday Nnomere, in July 2016, the Oke-Afa, Undertaking office yanked them off the grid on allegations that their area was the source of the transformer’s constant hiccup.

The release stated that all entreats to the undertaking office to redistribute power and ensure they are not left in darkness fell on deaf ears.

According to them, after series of meetings with IKDC officials, with the assistance the traditional ruler of Ejigbo in Lagos state, Oba Adekunle Ojoola  and prominent politicians in the area, they were able to secure a fairly used transformer and also made other arrangements for logistics to enable IKDC officials install the unit.

Ojedokun stated that they were however surprised by the action of the undertaking office manager who rather than carry out the installation as agreed planned to merge their line with those who force IKDC to cut them off from the power grid.

They said this plan if implemented was capable of destroying the peace and tranquility of the whole community.
The community therefore called on IKDC authorities to as a matter of urgency prevailed on the undertaking manager to desist from carrying out the act which they described as inhumanity to fellow human beings.

They maintained that before any meaningful agreement could be reached for others to share the transformer with them, the community must be reimbursed for all they have expended for the procurement of the power unit.

The community also wondered why despite waiting for prepaid meters promised them for the past two years, they are now tasked to contribute money for purchase of poles to enable IKDC dualises their service units.

The leaders observed that the engineers and technicians of the undertaking should be up to their responsibilities and respect the fact that consumers are not suppose to pay for repairs.

They argued that if the undertaking is under staffed, they should notify IKDC headquarters.

The community leaders further warned the undertaking to refrain from punishing the community for writing against them noting that they are aware that is how the IKDC unit operates against complainants.