Residents lament erratic power supply in Ogun community

Residents of Christ Avenue Community in Ogun State, Nigeria, are voicing strong complaints about the persistent and erratic power supply plaguing their area. The unstable electricity has significantly disrupted daily life, affecting everything from household chores to the operations of local businesses.

The community frequently experiences power outages lasting for several days after only a few days of supply. This inconsistency makes basic household tasks challenging, particularly food preservation and laundry. Folashewa, a fashion designer, shared how the unreliable power forces her to use gas and charcoal for ironing, significantly increasing her business expenses and reducing her profit margins.

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Whenever there is no light, I use gas and charcoal to iron customers’ clothes. Sometimes, I fill up 2kg of gas, and it doesn’t last for more than two weeks. I lose money like that. If there is stable light, I will be happy, and my business will keep growing.

"If there is stable light, I will be happy, and my business will keep growing," she stated, highlighting the direct link between consistent electricity and business growth. Another resident, identified as Mummy Zakariya, explained that the erratic supply prevents her from buying food items in bulk, leading to increased costs and the need for smaller, more frequent purchases. She also mentioned the difficult choice of having to stretch her children's uniforms by sleeping on them due to the lack of power for washing and ironing.

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Because of the light is not stable, I cannot buy food items in bulk. I have to buy it in smaller quantities. We usually put my children’s uniform under the pillow and sleep on it to stretch it before the following school day.

Mathew, another resident, lamented the additional financial burden of running a generator. He estimates spending N10,000 weekly on fuel, a significant expense given other financial commitments. He also pointed out the irony of paying for electricity even on days when it is not supplied. When residents inquired with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), they were reportedly told that the community receives only the electricity capacity allocated by the company's headquarters.

Attempts to get a comment from IBEDC's Head of Corporate Affairs and Media Relations Officer were ongoing at the time of reporting, with no response received.

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Because of other financial commitments, I do not put on the generator the way I want to. If I want to use the generator weekly because of the erratic power supply in our community in Mowe, I spend N10,000 weekly on fuel, and we are still going to pay for those days we do not have power supply.