By Abimbola Joseph
CITIZENS COMPASS— Residents of Maya Olorijo Estate area of Ikorodu in Lagos State, on Monday, staged a protest to express their frustration over an 18-month long power outage in the community.
They said long unavailable electricity supply has affected businesses in the community, undermining livelihoods and making life increasingly difficult across areas.
The protesters, predominantly landlords and youths, marched to Ikeja Electric Business District in Alogba area, holding placards and chanting solidarity songs.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions displayed such as “18 months in darkness, killing Olorijo,” “18 months No light for credit worthy customers, bring back our transformer,” “We are complaining 18 months, no transformer,”
Others are; “18 months for credit worthy customers, PHCN this is injustice, bring back our transformer,” “PHCN, 18 months is long overdue, return Olorijo transformer” and” No light, no business, no life, darkness is killing our community.” among others
Addressing the protesters, Mr Victor Ologhobo, the Community Development Association(CDA) chairman of Olorijo community, said that the problem started after a transformer serving the area developed a fault.
Ologhobo added that the transformer developed fault and was taken away by Ikeja Electric staff for repair since Jan. 13, 2025, the community was in total darkness, describing it as unsustainable for daily life and business operations.
“We are not asking for too much, give us a new transformer or you repair and return the one taken from our community.
“For more than 18 months, local business owners highlighted the severe impact of total darkness, noting that reliance on fuel-powered generators had significantly increased operational costs.
“We cannot continue like this, armed rubber disturbs us and we spend a lot of money on fuel and to hire local vigilantes,” he said.
In his response, Mr Emmanuel Iberuche, Business Manager, Ikeja Electric, Ikorodu business district apologised to the protesters over the delay on the transformer.
Iberuche said the challenge was due to bureaucracy and due process in providing new or repair of transformers adding that the company also loses if some communities do not have electricity.
He said that reports on the happenings and grievances of the protesters would be forwarded to headquarters assuring that there would be a follow-up on their matter.
“We are very sorry and we understand your plight, all your complaints will be forwarded to our headquarters.
“Pls give us till the end of the month, I will follow-up on this matter and feed you back when the transformer will be ready.
“We are also losing money because some communities don’t have electricity. That is why we are unable to take the power earmarked for us,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Samuel Odukoya, Head of Technical unit, promised that as soon as their request is approved, he would deploy his staff to immediately install it without any cost from the community.
