Rainstorm plunges over 40 Ogun communities into darkness

Electric poles and cables worth millions of naira were destroyed on Sunday, as a result of a rainstorm in Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

This incident has plunged over 40 communities in the council area into darkness till the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) can fix the damaged poles and cables.

The development led to obstruction of traffic on the popular Oju Ore to Toll Gate on the Lagos- Abeokuta Expressway.

Aside from the damaged poles and cables, there were reports that the rainstorm that lasted for about two hours, equally affected buildings and other properties in some parts of the state.

Meanwhile, the IBEDC, in a statement, advised residents to keep away from the damaged poles and cables, saying its technical team was working to clear and replace the affected poles and cables.

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The IBED, in a public notice, said, “Due to broken poles occasioned by the heavy downpour at Ota and Mowe, customers in the following communities: lyana lyesi, Osuke Town, Egan Road, lyana Ilogbo, Ijaba, Ijagba, Itele, Lafenwa, Singer, Joju, Alishiba, Oju Ore, Tollgate, Eledi, Akeja, Abebi, Osi Round About, Ota Town, Ota Industrial Estate, Igberen, lju, Atan, Onipanu, Obasanjo, Lusada, Arigba, Odugbe, Ado-Odo, Igbesa, Owode. Olokuta, Hanushi, Bamtish Camp Lufiwape, Eltees Farm, August Engineering, Spark Cear Soap Ayetoro, Amazing Grace Oil, Christopher University, Royal Garden Estate, Pentagon Estate and environs are experiencing power outages.

“Kindly avoid contact with the broken poles, saggy wires or any other electrical installation affected by the rain. Report any incident and do not attempt to repair or tamper with electrical installations.

“Our technical team is working to clear and replace the broken poles and installations to ensure power supply is restored as soon as possible.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience,” the IBEDC stated.

In a viral video on the incident, it was observed that the utility poles fell on vehicles, including a long school bus, cars, trucks and a tricycle.