Inside Epe communities 8-months battle with power outage

Like a normal day, electricity supply had tripped off in July 2024, plunging residents of Epe in Lagos State into darkness. And for more than eight months, Epe township and its surroundings, cutting across Epe Local Government Area, Eredo Development Area and Ikosi-Ejinrin Development Area, traders, artisans, residents and other stakeholders, battled daredevil vandals who […]

Like a normal day, electricity supply had tripped off in July 2024, plunging residents of Epe in Lagos State into darkness. And for more than eight months, Epe township and its surroundings, cutting across Epe Local Government Area, Eredo Development Area and Ikosi-Ejinrin Development Area, traders, artisans, residents and other stakeholders, battled daredevil vandals who destroyed power infrastructure and threw the area into a total blackout. Subsequently, the economy of the agrarian and fishing communities was brought to its knees.

Apart from its signature trade in fishing, Epe, a bustling town situated on the eastern end of Lagos Island, is enjoying rapid growth in real estate business as investors and many other people take advantage of anticipated development in the area.

Weekend Trust reports that the ancient town is also home to former governors of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and Michael Otedola, as well a renowned businessman, Femi Otedola, among other notable Nigerians.

Many higher institutions of learning, both private and public, are also located in the area.

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In Epe, there is a blend of relaxation, exploration and touch of local culture.

Residents who spoke with our correspondent said the blackout situation was a horrible experience.

The coordinator of the NYCN, Moibi Ibrahim Olatunde, told Weekend Trust that the electricity crisis began on July 10 last year when cables were vandalised for about six times.

“The crisis affected Epe Local Government and the two development areas. We got information that our cable was vandalised first at Isimi Lagos, an estate under Ikosi-Ejinri. After a while, Ikeja Electric came and fixed the situation, but it was vandalised after two days.

“We mounted pressure on them and they came again to fix the light; but some unindentified persons vandalised the power cables again.

“They have vandalised the cables for about six times now. The worst thing they did recently was cutting the cables into pieces. The insulator and poles were also destroyed. They left everything and went away,” he said.

Our correspondent learnt that the vandalism took place in more than four places in some parts of Epe.

 

Businesses paralysed 

Weekend Trust also reports that as a result of the situation, business owners in the area have suffered setback.

Mrs Aina Iyabo, the secretary of Oluwo Market, told our correspondent that fish and soft drink sellers were buying ice from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State to keep their businesses going.

“We get ice blocks from Ijebu Ode and Ibadan at a costly rate. The government should please help us,” she said.

Also, a shoemaker who identified himself as Olamilekan, told our correspondent that lack of electricity affected them a lot.

“I spend at least N7,000 on fuel, but if there was electricity supply, I don’t think I would use up to N2,000.”

 

30-day protest

In January, residents of the area commenced a 30-day online protest, calling on the Ikeja DisCo to restore electricity as a matter of urgency. They did this through various fliers, stating, “Enough of darkness in the entire town. What is life without light? What is Epe without power supply?”

Speaking in December last year, the chairperson of Epe Local Government, Princess Surah Animashaun, who was visibly angry, condemned the vandalism of newly installed electric cables in the area. She condemned the activities of the vandals after efforts to reconnect some communities to the national grid suffered a setback.

Some newly installed cables at Ererufu village, between Ketu and Itokin, as well as Temu, Araga and Sala, all in the Epe area, were vandalised.

“The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and the entire Epe indigenes express grave concern over the recent vandalism of electric cables in Ererufu village and other areas, which were installed as part of the ongoing electrification restoration aimed at enhancing the lives of residents in Epe Local Government Area.

“This wanton act of destruction not only undermines the progress of the restoration of electricity but also poses a significant setback to the socioeconomic development of Epe as a whole.

“The cables, recently installed by the EKEDC, were meant to bring the much-needed electricity to Epe Local Government and its environs, thereby improving the living standard and economic prospects of residents.

“The senseless act of vandalism threatens to deprive the town of this vital infrastructure, which was implemented at a significant cost to Epe Local Government, the EKEDC, stakeholders and the good people of Epe,” Animashaun said.

She called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Army (NA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Ibile Boys, Muwon security outfit, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in the area council to intensify efforts at protecting critical facilities.

“It is imperative for Epe residents and other communities to understand the grave implications of such dastardly act. A situation where neighbouring towns are enjoying uninterrupted electricity supply while Epe would remain in perpetual darkness is not acceptable. We will not leave any stone unturned to restore electricity to our area before the festive period,” she added.

 

 Security measures

Moibi told our correspondent that several arrests were made, yet the vandalism did not abate.

“Two months ago, two people were arrested from Ketu and handed over to the police. They were transferred to Ikeja; and by now, I believe they are in prison. The case is still on.

“But after they apprehended those people, another vandalism occurred and we are yet to identify those behind it. The police and other security agencies in the area are working together to ensure that they apprehend those that perpetrated that act,” he said.

Last month, the leadership of three local governments, Epe, Eredo and Ikosi-Ejinrin, convened a crucial high-level security meeting to address the activities of vandals in the area.

The meeting, held at the secretariat of Epe Local Government, was attended by

Princess Surah Animashaun; Akinloye Monsuru, the chairman of Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and Anomo Wale Raji, the chairman of Ikosi Ejinrin LCDA.

Animashaun emphasised the urgent need for unified action to protect essential power infrastructure and guarantee a reliable electricity supply to the affected communities.

The meeting was also designed to devise effective strategies to thwart the persistent vandalism of power infrastructure in the area.

 

 Respite as power is restored

However, last week Monday, the Lagos State Government confirmed the restoration of electricity to Epe following the successful replacement of vandalised infrastructure.

The disclosure was made on its official X page (formerly Twitter), stating that Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) had replaced all damaged sections of the Agbowa feeder.

“The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that Ikeja Electric has successfully replaced all vandalised portions of the Agbowa feeder, leading to the full restoration of power supply up to the substation in Epe,” part of the statement reads.

The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in Lagos State, Biodun Ogunleye, emphasized the critical role of power infrastructure in economic growth and improvement of the quality of life of the people.

He urged communities to protect these assets and ensure stable electricity supply.

Ogunleye urged leaders of Epe, Eredo and Ejirin to strengthen security around power facilities, emphasizing the need to protect the assets to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply.

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Abiola Kosegbe, an engineer, emphasised that under the Lagos State Electricity Law, 2024, offences such as energy theft, vandalism, illegal connection, meter bypass and tampering with power installations were criminal and subject to legal penalties.

She also urged communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

Many traders who spoke to Weekend Trust confirmed that power has finally been restored to the community.

Sunday Ajilo, a fish seller said, “There is light in Epe and people are relieved. We used to buy ice blocks for drinks and fish from Ijebu-Ode and Ikorodu at the rate of N3,000 and N2,500 for one, but as we speak, there is light and people don’t have to buy blocks again.

“Also, houses and businesses buying fuel to power their generators are all enjoying light.”

The chief press secretary to the chairman of Epe Local Government, Yusuf Olawale, told our correspondent that joint efforts of stakeholders had paid off.

“We have put a joint security forum in place to tackle the challenges.  For now, we don’t have issues, and we don’t pray to have. Vandalism has become a thing of the past,” Olawale said.