Residents
of Yotomi Golden Estate along the Ofada-Owode Road, Mowe, Ogun State, say life
has been made difficult by a six-month power outage in the area.
PUNCH
Metro learnt that since October, 2015, when the estate’s only transformer was
vandalised by hoodlums, power had been cut off from the area, which also
affected water supply and forced some residents to fetch water from a stream
near the estate.
Our
correspondent learnt that as a result of the ongoing fuel scarcity, residents
who had generators had joined others to fetch water from the stream, while
almost all the houses were presently in total darkness.
PUNCH
Metro had reported on October 29, 2015, that the Ibadan Electricity
Distribution Company, which served the estate, allegedly disconnected the
community when they protested against poor power supply to the area.
It was
reported that the then IBEDC Owode Service Unit Manager, Kola Olanipekun,
received a delegation from the estate which demanded improved power supply in
the area.
Our
correspondent gathered that a week after the meeting, the transformer supplying
power to the estate was vandalised by unidentified persons, and the estate had
been in total blackout since then.
It was
learnt that the transformer was punctured, while its oil was drained.
Our
correspondent gathered that the estate executive thereafter wrote to the IBEDC
to request a new transformer, after which they got a reply that the company
would supply it soon.
In the
reply letter dated, February 24, which was obtained by PUNCH Metro, the IBEDC
Regional Technical Manager, Akin Abiodun, said the estate’s request would be
given adequate attention.
The letter
read in part, “This is to acknowledge your letter, dated February 5, on the
replacement of the vandalised transformer, and this is to inform you that your
request is receiving adequate attention and the outcome would be communicated
to you soonest.”
Our
correspondent gathered that the estate, however, had yet to hear from IBEDC
since February.
Speaking
with PUNCH Metro, a resident, Akande Oladele, who is also a member of the
electrical committee, said the estate decided to task residents a sum of
N20,000 for a new transformer, but most residents could not afford the sum.
He said,
“A week after the newspaper report, some hoodlums came to vandalise our
transformer. They punctured it and drained all the oil. That was in October. We
contributed N600 per house to buy new oil and poured it into the transformer.
It was then we discovered it had been punctured.
“Our
estate has not had light since that October. Some of our executive members went
to IBEDC headquarters to complain, and we got a response that we would be given
a new transformer.
“When it
was not forthcoming, we started to contribute. Each resident was asked to pay
N20,000. Some have paid the money, but others are kicking against it. We have
done everything we can to get power restored, but there is no result.”
Another
resident, a lawyer, Ojetunji Ojekunle, said, “From October 2015, it has not
been easy for us here. We generate our power from generators, including pumping
water. Not everyone can afford that. Some residents fetch water from a river
here.
“The IBEDC
has promised to give us a new transformer, but we have not got the promised
equipment. The landlords’ association came up with the contribution of N20,000
for the transformer, but the money is not forthcoming.
“The Owode
Service Unit, which supplies power, is aware that we are contributing for a new
transformer and they still have not done anything to stop it.”
Our
correspondent was taken to the vandalised transformer and he observed that the
equipment had begun to rust and overgrown with weeds.
A woman,
who gave her name only as Sola, said some children in the estate now had rashes
from the side effects of the use of stream water.
She said,
“In this estate, we have pensioners, petty traders and others. How can you
expect these people to cough out N20,000 for a new transformer? Most of them
pay less than N5,000 monthly as rent.
“That is
why we are begging the IBEDC to restore power here. We celebrated Christmas and
Easter in darkness. Those who have generators cannot use them again because
of fuel scarcity.”
The Owode
Service Unit Manager, Mr. Abiodun Shobayo, said the issue of power supply to
the estate had gone beyond him, adding that the unit had yet to receive any
transformer from the headquarters for the estate.
He said,
“The estate has written to the regional management. So, the management can give
you the full details. I do not know their mind.
“But we
have not received any transformer from the management. Please, get across to
them.”
When
contacted, Ogun Regional Manager, Abiodun said he would call our correspondent
back on the matter. But he had yet to call back as of press time.
Source: PUNCH.
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