Faulty transformer plunges Ogun community into four-month blackout
PUNCH Metro gathered that the community had been experiencing a downturn in their businesses and daily activities due to the situation.
Streets affected by the blackout include Pipeline, Last Born, Ifedara, Igba Otun and Ifedapo Ebute.
Some residents told our correspondent that the transformer supplying power to the community had been faulty for four months and they have been contributing money to purchase a new one.
They, however, said they had been unable to raise the N7m needed.
Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, a fashion designer, Christiana Adebayo, said the lack of power supply in the area had badly affected her business and relationship with customers.
Adebayo said, “I am using a stove to iron clothes because of the blackout. This comes with its challenge. It destroys customers’ clothes.
“I have some works I need to do overnight and this lamp I am using is not useful to me. After a while, it won’t work again.
“If not for the blackout, I will put on the fan and lights. That will enable me to work overnight and it will work out well for me.”
Another resident who identified herself simply as Abimbola said her family had resorted to using generating set.
She, however, lamented that the hike in the price of fuel had also made the option a difficult one.
Abimbola said, “We put on the generator every day. Fuel is now even more expensive, a litre is now N500. We have been told to contribute N30,000 per house for the purchase of a new transformer.
“Although some people have started paying, the money is not enough yet. So, we are not sure yet when electricity will be restored.”
A representative of the area’s Community Development Council, Ganiyu Oladipupo, in a separate interview with our correspondent, pleaded with the government for help because of the huge amount needed.
Oladipupo said, “Because of this, we had issues at the meeting on July 9 that lasted five hours.
“We have not still resolved it. Residents of some streets are saying they can’t gather the money within two months, some are saying three months.”
He urged the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and the state government to assist residents of the community.
When contacted on Monday, the IBEDC’s Head, Media Relations, Busolami Tunwase, said she was not aware that residents of the community are the ones paying for the transformer.
While advising residents to contact the technical manager in Ibafo, Tunwase promised that a new transformer would soon be sent to the community.
She said, “We apologise for the issue. You know the way it is now that due to the unavailability of funds, we may not be able to supply new transformers as soon as possible but it is a good thing that there is a new transformer and they will supply it soon.
“I am not aware that the residents are the ones paying for the transformer but I know there is a new transformer for the community. They have sent in a new transformer and I am sure that very soon, they will contact them, and it has been confirmed that they sent in a new transformer and they should get in touch with the technical manager in Ibafo.”
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