The residents of Somolu/Bariga will begin their 14 day stay at home in darkness following the failure of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKDC) to serve the area with electricity as at when due thereby adding to their pain and agony.
Speaking with Somolu News online yesterday, three residents of the area who claimed anonymity, complained bitterly about the state of electricity in the area in the recent times stressing that they were forced to fuel their generator out of the meagre earning meant to managed their family till curfew the is over and be able to source for their livelihood.
“It is so pathetic and painful when things are not done the way it should be done which at the end of the day brings discomfort twined with disdain to those who should be enjoying their hard earned money”.
“Imaging the government allowing IKDC to leave us in darkness having to go through harrowing experience despite paying taxes and electricity bill regularly. At the end of the day, we’ll end up paying for what we didn’t use at all. Several complaints have been made to relevant authorities even before now but have been giving all sorts of excuses”.
“Although, they sent sent several tweets asking those who have pre-paid meter to load their meters ahead of the lockdown leaving out those that have no prepaid meter in dilemma”.
“The statement read in part: “In the event that there is a statewide shutdown to contain the spread of the Covid-19, some of our Smart Card customers may have challenges leaving their residents to vend. We, therefore, use this medium to urge them to preload their vending cards. To complement statewide efforts, we will open some of our offices to ensure our customers can vend”.
“Thank God that I have a generator but what about those who do not have and would have to spent the rest of the days in darkness. As I’m taking to you right now, I’m not even sure whether I’ll be able to fuel my generator as planned because food is more important than fuel”.
“Since we don’t know when the stimulus the government promised us will get to us, it’s difficult projecting on what we don’t see and you cannot go out, so, we have to manage what we have”. one of the residents lamented
“I think what government should have done in this case is forcing the IKDC to serve the entire locked down state with uninterrupted power supply throughout the duration of the exercise so as not to aggravate already tensed situation”.
“I just don’t know why government refused to fixed the electricity before banning generator. Oftentimes, they put the cart before the horse. Why not fixed the electricity first and see if people will buy the so called generator”.
Meanwhile, the residents have called on the government and relevant authority in charge of the electricity to do the needful and ensure they find a lasting solution that’ll brings about good governance and quality services to the people as at when due.
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered total lockdown of Lagos state, Ogun and FCT which began on Monday 30th March, 2020. The affected states are to adhere strictly to restrictions which will last for 14 days.
