IT is now four days since Igando, Obadore and Akesan areas were thrown into darkness, following ongoing repair works by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.
It should be recalled that the IKEDC had last week explained that the company would be embarking on the replacement of obsolete panels at the Igando Injection Substation, which is aimed at improving power supply availability in that area. The DISCO had said that the work would result in a blackout that would span for 10 days, from September 6 to September 15, 2022.
However, the repair works, though in the best interest of the people, have still taken a huge toll on businesses and residents of the areas, who hitherto depended on the electricity provided by IKEDC for their sustenance.,
Madam Bose (not the original name) runs a Zobo business in Obadore. She supplies to her customers in kegs and bottles in a bid to provide for her family. Her Zobo drink is almost 100 per cent natural, from the pineapple to the date and other ingredients she uses. Already, she is spending much to procure these items, now she has to spend more than usual to fuel her generator, in a bid to preserve the drink, which is best served cold, so it neither ferments nor loses taste.
Recounting her experience, she says, ‘It is not like I don’t buy fuel for the generator at all. You know how long it takes for the refrigerator to get cold to the extent that the drinks get totally frozen. When we had light, I only run the gen for about 1 hour every day. Now I fuel the generator to make sure the Zobo drinks get frozen to a good degree. I still have to run the gen every day to make sure it stays that way until my customers buy it. It has not been easy."
On her part, Tinuke who stays at Egan, Igando says the power outage has made it difficult for those in her area to get water. They have now resorted to buying water from those who pump and sell it at the rate of @20 per paint bucket.
As though they foresaw the adverse effect the blackout would have on their customers, IKEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, appealed for the understanding of customers in Igando during the planned outage, promising that they will enjoy improved power supply after the implementation of the project.
