The Ilasamaja communities, nestled within the Isolo Local Council Development Area, find themselves embroiled in a protracted battle against erratic power supply, a situation that has crippled local businesses and disrupted daily life. Since September 2024, these communities have been subjected to intermittent and unreliable electricity, a stark contrast to the consistent power supply they once enjoyed. The root cause, as communicated by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), lies in a faulty feeder serving the area. However, the promised repairs and restoration of full power by January 2025 have failed to materialize, leaving residents and businesses in the lurch.
Adding insult to injury, the IKEDC has issued exorbitant electricity bills for November and December, despite the minimal power supply received during those months. Residents report receiving a mere five days of electricity in November, with each day providing less than 10 hours of power. Astonishingly, bills for N20,000 were issued for this meager supply. Expectations of an adjusted bill in December were dashed when an even higher amount was levied, leading the community to accuse the IKEDC of deliberate and dubious billing practices. The financial burden of these inflated bills has further compounded the hardship faced by residents already struggling with the consequences of unreliable power.
The prolonged power outage has had a devastating impact on the economic activities within Ilasamaja. Businesses have been forced to scale back operations or close entirely, resulting in job losses and financial strain on families. The lack of consistent electricity has also disrupted essential services and daily routines, impacting the quality of life for all residents, including children and the elderly. The community’s plea for intervention from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has, so far, fallen on deaf ears. This perceived inaction by the regulatory body has fueled frustration and a sense of abandonment within the affected communities.
The Ilasamaja communities, through a letter co-signed by their CDA Chairman and General Secretary, have formally articulated their grievances and demands to the IKEDC and NERC. They are calling for the immediate withdrawal of the inflated November and December bills and a reduction to a more reasonable amount of N2,500, reflecting the actual power consumed. Furthermore, they demand the immediate restoration of full power supply to Ilasamaja and an end to the persistent load shedding that has plagued the area for months. The community emphasizes the urgency of their situation, highlighting the economic paralysis and widespread suffering caused by the prolonged power outage.
The lack of response from the IKEDC and NERC to the community’s pleas has deepened their sense of injustice and fueled their resolve to seek redress. They accuse the NERC of complicity in the IKEDC’s exploitative practices by failing to hold the distribution company accountable. The community’s frustration is palpable, as they feel ignored and abandoned by the very institutions tasked with protecting their interests. Their letter serves as a desperate cry for help and a demand for accountability from those responsible for providing a vital public service.
The situation in Ilasamaja underscores the broader challenges faced by many communities across Nigeria regarding access to reliable and affordable electricity. The ongoing dispute between the residents and the IKEDC highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability within the power sector. The community’s appeal to the NERC underscores the critical role of regulatory bodies in ensuring fair practices and protecting consumers’ rights. The Ilasamaja communities remain hopeful that their collective voice will be heard and that the necessary actions will be taken to restore their access to consistent and affordable electricity, a fundamental requirement for economic prosperity and a decent quality of life.
