Residents of the New London Estate in Baruwa, Ipaja Ayobo LCDA of Lagos State, have tasked Ikeja Electric authorities to respond to the various power supply matters, facing the community. They warned the company to brace up for any radical action they might resort to.
In the petition dated December 22, 2016, submitted to the office of the Managing Director of Ikeja Electric signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the New London Community Development Association (NLCDA), Messrs Emmanuel C. Nzekwe and Biodun Adeniran respectively, the body drew the attention to the manner in which officials of the electric company had been handling its affairs in the area.
Apart from irregular supply of electricity to the community, NLCDA stated that for over one year, the 500 KVA power transformer bought through the contributions of the residents since December 28, 2015 and with permission of the Ipaja Sub-station and Planning Department of Ikeja Electric, had remained a mere ‘sight’ where it has been installed.
“Having been able to purchase a 500 KVA power transformer with your permission through the contributions of residents since 28th December, 2015 and having met all conditions that could have at frustrating attempts at energising same, no efforts have been made by your Network Planning Department to offer any convincing respite.
“You may wish to find out from your officials why the delay of over one year for the said brand-new transformer to come on stream.
“Because of the lack of response from your officials to energise it, we want to bring to your notice that the said transformer was vandalised and certain parts pilfered by unknown persons under the power of darkness. We tearfully tasked ourselves to replace those stolen items with attendant fears that if nothing is done now to energise it, there is a possibility of a repetition of the action of the wicked,” the duo said.
NLCDA noted that, that the only two transformers in the community now (300 and 500 KVA), were no longer adequate to bear the energy requirement of over 1,500 houses within the estate.
It said a survey team from previous PHCN and Ikeja Electric had recommended that the community needed a minimum of six 500 KVA transformers to be able to enjoy regular power supply.
It, therefore, warned that should there be further vandalism of the transformers within the community, “Ikeja Electric shall be liable and we will waste no time to embarrass you through all possible means to get proper and adequate redress.”
The officials of the estate demanded that in order to stem the activities of some dubious officials of the Ipaja Sub-station, who had turned the community into their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), “make pre-paid metres available to every house within our community just as several others are enjoying them elsewhere. We have made a series of calls and presentations for the procurement of these pre-paid metres in the past. Evidences abound with the attached letters,” it concluded the petition.
All attempts to get Ikeja Electric officials to speak on the petition failed.