Residents of Somolu in Lagos have raised serious concerns over persistent power outages in the area, calling on the management of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) to urgently address what they described as worsening and unbearable electricity supply challenges.
The aggrieved residents, who spoke with Somolu Newspaper on Wednesday, lamented that the epileptic power supply experienced in recent months has inflicted severe hardship on households and businesses alike, describing the situation as both “heartrending” and “disgusting.”
One of the concerned residents, Mr. Segun Bamidele, expressed deep frustration over the development, noting that the situation is particularly disheartening given that many residents are classified under Band A tariff, which attracts higher electricity charges with the expectation of improved service delivery.
“What we are going through is saddening and barbaric,” Bamidele said. “Despite paying huge sums monthly under Band A, the power supply has remained highly unreliable. It is unacceptable.”
He further explained that the constant outages have had far-reaching consequences on the well-being of residents, affecting them mentally, emotionally, and physically.
“The disruption has caused significant losses. Imagine storing perishable goods worth thousands of naira in your freezer, only for them to get spoiled due to lack of power. We are forced to buy fuel almost daily to run generators just to cope,” he lamented.
Bamidele also highlighted the psychological toll of the situation, describing it as overwhelming and disheartening for many families.
“The mental and emotional trauma is enormous. It is difficult to comprehend how a country like Nigeria, often referred to as the ‘Giant of Africa,’ has continued to struggle with basic electricity supply for decades. It is shameful,” he added.
Other residents echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the erratic power supply has disrupted daily life and economic activities within the community. Small business owners, in particular, have reportedly suffered losses due to increased operational costs and reduced productivity.
The residents, however, expressed uncertainty about when stable electricity would be restored, noting that their hope is gradually diminishing as the outages persist without clear communication or resolution from the distribution company.
They collectively urged IKEDC to take immediate and decisive action to improve power supply in Somolu and its environs, emphasizing that access to reliable electricity is essential for economic growth, public welfare, and overall quality of life.
