Imokun Community in Epe Marks One Year Without Electricity, Slams Lawmakers’ Neglect

Imokun Community in Epe Marks One Year Without Electricity, Slams Lawmakers’ Neglect
Appeals for Urgent Intervention
Laud council chairman effort

Imokun community in Eredo Local Council Development Area, Epe, Lagos State, has cried out over a year-long total blackout, leaving over 800 households dependent on a single 500 kVA transformer stranded and frustrated.

Eko Hot Blog exclusively reports that, in an interview with Comrade Olufowobi Eniafe, one of the community stakeholders, the blackout began in September 2023 when their only transformer failed.

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Despite efforts by residents to fix the equipment, the cost of repairs was placed at ₦8 million by a private company, far beyond the community’s capacity.

“This month makes it one year without light. We have tried everything within our power. The transformer serves more than 800 houses,” Eniafe explained.

He added that the situation has worsened living conditions in the student-populated area, forcing many residents and traders to relocate.

“People are striving to survive in this new reform era of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It’s not easy buying fuel or gas at high cost when the economy is already tough.

Businesses are suffering because not every shop owner can afford to fuel a generator. In my own house, we spend ₦6,000 daily on fuel just to have light overnight,” he lamented.

The community says several appeals have been sent to elected representatives and political office holders, but none have yielded results.

While acknowledging the effort of the local government chairman, Hon. Monsuru Akinloye, who donated a new 500kva transformer to another part of the community in June 2024, residents say they still feel abandoned.

“Aside from the council chairman, none of our legislators have responded despite series of letters, messages, and phone calls. People here feel hopeless and helpless,” Eniafe said.

The residents are now appealing directly to government authorities and well-meaning Nigerians to either provide a new transformer or assist in repairing the damaged one.

“If electricity is restored today, more than a thousand heads will feel relief and happiness,” Eniafe concluded.

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