Lagos, Nigeria— The Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, is being protested by residents of different Ibeju-Lekki neighbourhoods.
On Friday, July 7, 2023, citizens protested in Military Quarters, Eleko Junction, over how the power outage affected their lives.
Advocacy group IFGA joined the demonstration.
Mr. Michael Popoola, Chairman of Military Quarters, Eleko, says the villages have gone four years without power.
EKEDC still needs to provide electricity to villages despite people purchasing electrical facilities independently as desired.
IFGA founder Masheni Johnson accused EKEDC of failing to address the matter during a meeting on April 25, 2023.
“EKEDC also revealed that the two key transformers, designed to give electrical power to the Ibeju Lekki area, had been transferred to an unknown location by Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, some years ago, hence leaving the region in total darkness for years,” Johnson said.
Mr. Babatunde Lasaki, General Manager, Corporate Communications Department, EKEDC, agreed that a new 330/132KV substation was needed to satisfy electricity needs.
Lasaki told neighbours that the new substation was being built faster.
Even with these pledges, Johnson has requested the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to undertake a forensic audit of EKEDC to determine their financial soundness to continue energy distribution.
He also requested that NERC order EKEDC refund residents’ electrical facility purchases and provide power to Ibeju Lekki within seven days.
Ajah, LBS, Sangotedo-Abijo, Awoyaya, Oribanwo, Lakowe, Bogije, Kajola, Igondo, Eleko, Iberekodo, Orimedu, Akodo, Magbon Alade, Refinery, Lekki Idasho, Badore, Folu, and other Eleko villages have been affected by the protracted power outage.
