Iponri residents protest blackout

No fewer than 100 electricity consumers from Iponri Housing Estate in Lagos on Tuesday protested at the premises of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

The electricity consumers were demanding for the restoration of electricity supply to the area.

They were carrying different placards with different inscriptions, including “No Electricity Supply, No Payment”.

“We are tired of darkness give us light. No more fixed charges you cheating us”.

Mr Abdul-Rasak Osho, the Chairman, Iponri Housing Estate Association, who led the protesters, told newsmen that the estate’s residents were spending close to N10 million daily on fuel.

“The whole estate has 935 units and more than 200 shops and we buy at least N1,000 worth of petroleum products to use our electricity generating sets.

“If you multiply it, this means that we are spending close to N10 million on petrol daily.

“The EKEDC should tell us why they refused to change our damaged poles since we reported the case on April 6,” he said.

Osho said that until power supply was restored in the estate, no residents would pay his or her electricity bills.

The chairman warned the management of EKEDC not to send any of their staff to disconnect the residents because there is no justification for it.

He said the residents were more than convinced that the company lacked the financial muscle to handle the power project efficiently.

Osho said that the residents would no longer accept outrageous electricity bills on supply of power.

Meanwhile, Mr Peter Ayiwe, the Public Relations Officer of Ijora unit of EKEDC has appealed to the protesters for understanding and the need for restraint.

He promised that power would be restored to the estate on May 1.

Ayiwe said that the delay in restoration was due to the swampy nature of area.

He said the residents would not pay for the period that power supply was not available.