Outcry over persistent power outage in Epe

Following the incessant power outage and vandalisation of electricity cables in Epe town, Lagos State, concerned residents have called on government wade into the situation and restore power supply.

The residents have also commenced a 30-day online protest, calling on Ikeja Disco to act fast and restore electricity to the entire Epe Division.

The residents, in a flier on Sunday, called on Ikeja Disco to do everything possible to restore light to Epe, saying, “Enough of darkness in the entire town.”

Some of the inscriptions on the flier read: ”Restore Epe Light, enough is enough, restore the power supply.

“What is life without light? What is Epe without power supply?”

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the latest was the vandalisation of electricity facilities in more than four places in some parts of Epe.

As a result of power outage, business owners have suffered setback in the town despite being the host to many industries, including real estate.

The residents recalled that Epe had not enjoyed electricity in the last 10 years, adding that the matter became worse in the last four months as thieves carted away the high-tension cables conveying electricity to Epe from Ikorodu.

Efforts to reach the Ikeja Disco management proved abortive as its spokesperson, Kingsley Okotie, did not pick up his calls or respond to SMS and WhatsApp messages.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday, Mr Tunde Alao, who resides in Epe, confirmed the situation, saying that most residents of Epe have been on generating sets in the last six months.

Perpetual power outage, he said had made life unbearable for residents due to the nefarious activities of cable thieves.

Another resident, Kunle Oladeinde, lamented incessant power outage in Epe, pointed out that in the last eight years, Epe Division had not enjoyed constant power supply.

He said that in the last four months, the town’s high tension/ cables were stolen, adding that it happened four times in four months.

“Every time and then, our high tension and cables are being stolen in Epe. In the last four months, it has happened four times.

“In November, when our electricity cables were vandalised, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode replaced them. Another cable was stolen in Iredo.”

Oladeinde called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the senator, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members representing Epe Division to do something about the electricity blackout in Epe.

He also enjoined all the Obas in Epe to wade into the situation, while calling on the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State to investigate cable/power theft in Epe and bring perpetrators to book.

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