Kunle Adelabu & Kehinde Faleti (SIWES Student)
After months of complaints over grossly irregular power supply to many areas in Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), exorbitant estimated billings to residents and load -shedding among other challenges without any positive responses or changes, the Executive Committee and Zonal Chairmen of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, on Tuesday marched to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Ikorodu, to register their frustration over the situation.
The protest, led by the chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Alhaji Rasaq Ibiyeye, with Alhaji Yisa, former CDC Chairman, Mr Yahya Ogunsowo, CDC Secretary, Alhaji Adewale Gbadamosi, Mr Ayo Ajayi and other chieftains, stormed the IKEDC Business Unit, at the Alogba Estate, Ebute, Ikorodu to register their displeasure at what they said was causing residents all over the council unbearable hardship and badly affecting their social and economic lives. They demanded quick interventions.
THE IMPACT gathered that the immediate cause that sparked yesterday’s protest was the blackout that many communities have been experiencing since August this year and the refusal of the Ikorodu Business Unit to have a meeting with the CDC leadership to explain the situation to them.
They stormed the IKEDC office carrying placards with inscription like “Outright stoppage of load shedding throughout the Community”, “End Darkness in our Communities”, “Were la fi n wo were”, “Stop Billing when there is no Regular and Normal Supply of Electricity”, “Enough of Darkness in our Community”, and “Provision of Substitute Transformers to Replace the Rejected Transformers offered by Individual and one donated by the Government” among others.
The protest almost degenerated when the IKEDC officials prevented the CDC chieftains and representatives from having access into the Ikorodu Business Unit office complex to have an engagement on the lingering issue. It took threat by the protesters that they would mobilise the entire residents within the Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA in a follow -up protest if they are were not given attention to get the Ikeja Electric officials to listen to them.
In a protest letter/petition signed by Alhaji Rasaq Ibiyeye, Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, and Chairmen Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9 and Zone 10, which was made available to THE IMPACT, the community leaders, on behalf of all communities under Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, demanded immediate action and positive engagement on the followings:
Immediate and Unconditional Restoration of Power Supply:
The reinstatement of normal and stable electricity supply to all communities in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA without further delay, having endured total blackout since 4th August, 2025.
Discontinuation of Estimated Billing:
Immediate halt to all forms of arbitrary and unfair estimated billing imposed on customers who are not yet on prepaid metres, particularly where there is no regular or sufficient power supply.
Termination of Ineffective Load-Shedding Regime:
A complete stop to the current pattern of load-shedding and the dysfunctional “one-day-on, one-day-off” power rationing system, which is inadequate and also undermines the economic and social well-being of our communities.
Energising of Installed Transformers:
Swift and unconditional energising of all transformers already installed across the LCDA but left idle, thereby depriving residents of access to power.
Replacement of Community-Funded Transformers:
Provision and full assumption of responsibility by IKEDC to replace transformers that were purchased or donated by Community Development Associations (CDAs), philanthropists, political office holders and government agencies — without demanding any energising or connection charges.
Timely Maintenance of Electrical Infrastructure:
Effective and prompt maintenance and repairs of faulty transformers, distribution equipment and related infrastructure to guarantee safety, reliability and efficiency of power supply at all times.
Activation of Accessible Metering Channels:
Opening and enabling all customer access portals for seamless application, procurement, installation and activation of prepaid metres for both existing and prospective customers within Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA.
Protesters said that their demands were presented with the aim of improving the relationship between communities in the council and the management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company/Ikeja Energy (IKEDC/IE).
“These resolutions are presented in good faith as a collective mandate of the CDC Executives and Zonal Chairmen of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, aimed at fostering an improved and sustainable relationship with the management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC now IE) and to prevent further escalation of grievances and undesirable outcomes in the future.
“We anticipate your urgent intervention and responsible action on all demands raised above.”
Some of the protesters that spoke with our reporter highlighted the growing frustration among residents due to the unreliable power supply, and what they termed as ‘crazy’ billings, which have become major challenges to daily life and economic activities.
Meanwhile, the management of the IKEDC has apologised to the communities for the inconveniences that they are experiencing and assured them that efforts are being made to restore power supply as soon as possible.
Engr. Samuel, Business Manager of Ikeja Electric, who addressed the protesters, also explained that the company is working to resolve the issues and would communicate with the community soon.
He explained that the problem is power supply to the IKEDC and that it is not peculiar to communities in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA alone.
The Business Manager emphasised that the company prioritises its customers and is doing everything to satisfy them and investing in technology to deliver good services.
“At Ikeja Electric, we always say customers first and technology now. If the customer is first, we are ready to deploy all manner of technology to ensure delivery of good service.
“We are ready to employ all manner of human resources and processes to ensure that we service and satisfy you, so, on behalf of Ikeja Electric and Ikorodu Business District, I want to say that we are very sorry that you have suffered poor electricity supply over this period.”
He further explained that the power regulator directed that certain quantities of energy must be delivered to customers on a monthly basis, adding they are always penalised whenever the company did not discharge such even if they did not get the required supply from the regulatory body.
Samuel added that the Ikeja Electric is not deliberately withholding power instead of supplying the same to its customers, rather, he said it was due to the supply that they usually receive.
Also, at the meeting to address the community stakeholders was the Technical Manager in the unit, Mr Emmanuel.
