…accuse EKEDC of negligence, demand transformer replacement
Residents of Oyadiran Estate in the Sabo area of Yaba, Lagos, have decried the incessant power outages that occur whenever it rains, blaming the recurring blackout on a faulty transformer that has remained unattended for months.
For several weeks, the community has been thrown into darkness after every heavy rainfall, a situation that residents say has crippled business activities, caused huge financial losses, and created serious safety concerns.
According to Mrs Titi, a food vendor in the area, the power supply has become completely unpredictable.
“Each downpour, no matter how light, leads to a total blackout that can last for days. The officials of the power distribution company always claim that the transformer has been damaged by the rain,” she lamented.
Similarly, Mrs Sarah Ajayi, a shop owner, expressed deep frustration over the recurring problem. “Anytime it rains, we already know what will happen the lights will go off. It sometimes takes three or four days before they fix it. My freezer is always full, but I end up losing everything because of power failure,” she said.
For local artisans and small business owners, the situation has translated into severe financial losses.
A fridge repairer who said his daily income had dropped drastically. “Once the power goes out, I cannot work for days. I’ve had to reject jobs because I can’t depend on electricity anymore,” he complained.
Residents are increasingly worried about safety. Several have reported sparks and loud noises from the transformer during rainfall, raising fears of a potential explosion or electrocution.
One resident, Mr Abbey, described the situation as “a disaster waiting to happen.” He called on the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and the Yaba Local Government to urgently replace the aging transformer. “They only come for temporary repairs. Each time it rains, we brace ourselves for another blackout. This has become unbearable,” he said.
Students and children in the area have not been spared. Many preparing for examinations are forced to study by candlelight or rechargeable lamps, which residents say are inadequate.
Community elder, Mr Gaji, said residents are demanding a permanent solution rather than repeated repairs. “With the rainy season still ongoing, we fear the problem could worsen. The power failures show a clear neglect of infrastructure maintenance and accountability in the electricity sector,” he noted.
Residents have urged the EKEDC to act swiftly before the faulty transformer causes further harm or leads to a major tragedy in the community.