Residents groan as blackout hits Lagos communities

Residents of Goshen, Abuleokuta and Kusheyin communities in the Bariga area of Lagos State have lamented persistent electricity outages, saying they receive barely any power supply daily.

They also claimed the development had crippled small-scale businesses and forced some of them to sleep outdoors because of the heat.

According to the residents, the prolonged blackout had persisted for about four months.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, a resident, Tolani Aliu, said the situation had become unbearable.

He added, “Whenever the light is restored, by the time you say, ‘Thank God, the light is back,’ and you want to switch on something, they have taken the light again.

“That is how it has been in the last three months. The cumulative supply is just about one hour or so.”

Aliu added that this had left residents frustrated and uncertain about when the communities would have a steady power supply.

Another resident, who identified himself simply as Alhaji Moshood, said those on postpaid meters paid exorbitant amounts monthly.

He said, “They always come to disconnect our light or ask for their money at the end of the month. And they even come with multiple bills for that matter.

“We have endured this several times, but now we are tired. That is why we are crying out to the authorities for intervention,” he added.

The resident listed several streets in Goshen Community as Alubarika Street, Surulere Street, Ademolu Street, Temple Street, Adepeju Street, Adenekan Street, Ibrahim Street, Farayibi Street and Emmanuel Street, as well as Jagunmolu Road and Abuleokuta Road.

In Abuleokuta Community, the affected streets include Ososa Avenue, Alhaji Odunsanya Street, Ogoluwa Street, Falade Street, Falade Lane, Ago Owu Street, Odo Oba Street, GGY Street, Oyekunkle Street, Olokodana Street, Badejo Street, Abu Street, Okeowo Street, Adekoya Street, Otukoya Street and Ososa Crescent.

Residents also identified Bello Street, Ikija Street, Church Street, Bamiji Lawal Street, Ayedun Street, Ojekale Street, Seriki Street, Ibrahim Street, James Uso Street and Odunsin Street in Kusheyin Community as areas affected by the blackout.

Beyond the inconvenience of living without power supply, residents said the situation had affected traders who depend on refrigeration to preserve fish, frozen foods, drinks and other perishable goods.

One of the residents, Ayo Ibikunle, said several small-scale traders had suffered losses because they could no longer preserve their products or attract customers who wanted chilled drinks and cold sachet water.

He said, “There are women selling fish and frozen foods whose businesses have been rendered almost useless.

“The people selling drinks and pure water are also affected because they cannot keep their products cold.

“People would rather go to other areas where there is electricity to buy what they need. Some of these traders do not have generators because they cannot afford them.”

A petty trader, Mariam Ali, who sells soft drinks, biscuits and other provisions and has a six-month-old baby, also complained about the impact of the blackout on her business.

Ali said sales had dropped because she could no longer provide chilled drinks to customers.

“The lack of electricity has affected my business. This is the main source of power supply for me. There is heat, and people are always coming around asking for cold drinks. They should please help us so we can survive through our means of livelihood,” she disclosed.

The residents said businesses such as printing shops, small hotels and other commercial establishments had also been affected by the poor power supply.

They added that some health facilities in the area relied on diesel-powered generators.

The residents further raised concerns about the living conditions of families in the area, saying the prolonged blackout had worsened the discomfort caused by hot weather.

According to one of the residents, Comfort Ejeh, some families, including pregnant women and children, had been sleeping outside their homes at night because of the heat and poor ventilation in their rooms.

She said, “Bariga has many small rented apartments, and when there is no electricity, the heat becomes unbearable. Some people cannot sleep inside their rooms, so they come outside at night.

“You would see people outside at 2am, 3am and even 4am because of the heat. Pregnant women and children are among those affected.”

The resident expressed concern that sleeping outdoors could expose vulnerable residents to security risks, particularly at night.

The spokesperson for Ikeja Electric Distribution Company, Kingsley Okotie, could not be reached for a reaction, as calls made to his telephone line did not connect.

A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.