Residents of the New London Estate in Baruwa, Ipaja Ayobo LCDA of Lagos State have petitioned Ikeja Electric authorities to respond to the various power supply matters facing the community or be ready for any radical action it may resort to.
In the petition dated December 22, 2016 submitted to the office of the Managing Director of Ikeja Electric signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the New London Community Development Association (NLCDA), Messrs Emmanuel C. Nzekwe and Biodun Adeniran respectively, the body drew the attention of the chief executive to the untoward manner with which officials of the electric company have been handling its affairs.
Apart from irregular supply of electricity to the community, NLCDA insisted that for over one year, the 500 KVA power transformer bought through individual contributions of residents since December 28, 2015 and with permission of the Ipaja sub-station and Planning Department of Ikeja Electric remains a mere ‘sight’ where it has been installed.
“Having been able to purchase a 500 KVA power transformer with your permission through individual contributions of residents since 28thDecember, 2015 and having met all conditions aimed at frustrating attempts at energising same, no efforts have been made by your Network Planning Department to offer any convincing respite.
“You may wish to find out from your officials why the delay of over one year for the said brand new transformer to come on stream.
“Because of the lack of response from your officials to energise it, we want to bring to your notice that the said transformer was vandalized and certain parts were pilfered by unknown persons under the power of darkness. We tearfully tasked ourselves to replace those stolen items with attendant fears that if nothing is done now to energise it there is a possibility of a repetition of the action of the wicked,” stressed the community’s chairman and scribe.
NLCDA insisted further in the petition to the Ikeja Electric that the only two transformer in the community now-300 and 500 KVA, were no longer adequate to bear the enegy requirement of the over 1,500 houses within the estate.
The petition said a survey team from previous PHCN and Ikeja Electric had recommended that the community needs a minimum of six 500 KVA transformers to be able to enjoy regular power supply.
It therefore warned that should there be further vandalisation of the transformers within the community, “Ikeja Electric shall be liable and we will waste no time to embarrass you through all possible means to get proper and adequate redress.”
To stem the activities of some dubious officials of the Ipaja sub-station who have turned the community into their ATM, “make pre-paid meters available to every house within our community just as several others are enjoying them elsewhere. We have made series of calls and presentations for the procurement of these pre-paid meters in the past. Evidences abound with the attached letters,” concludes the petition.
All attempts to get Ikeja Electric officials to speak on the petition failed.
