Epileptic Power Supply Paralyses FESTAC Town

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo , in a handshake with the National President, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Arc. Tonye Oliver Braide, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, recently

Some residents and
business operators in FESTAC Town in Lagos on Thursday expressed worry on the epileptic power supply to the area by Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDP).
They alleged that the poor power supply had paralyzed their domestic and commercial activities.
The consumers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, said the situation had brought untold hardship to the entire community.
Mrs Josephine Okoro, who manages a business centre, said the epileptic power supply coupled with scarcity of petrol in the area had thrown her out of business.
“We have been experiencing power outage in FESTAC town for more than two months.
“The most unfortunate thing is that EKEDP used to restore electricity supply in the middle of the night when it is of no use to my business.
“The scarcity of petrol has compounded the situation. I am always idle because I don’t have electricity to operate.
“Currently, I cannot afford two meals a day because EKEDP has rendered me jobless.
“I am appealing to the distribution company to restore power so that life can bubble again,” she said.
Mr Jide Johnson, a resident of 23 Road, accused the company of being insensitive to the genuine complaints of consumers.
Johnson said that the bills they received every month were outrageous in spite of the epileptic power supply to the community.
“We have complained to the head office of EKEDP on many occasions, but nothing has been done about it,’’ he alleged.
According to him, the poor power supply had crippled their businesses, making artisans in the community to take to commercial motorcycle business.
Mrs Jacob Ipadeola, a landlord at 22 Road, said that the residents subscribed to the installation of pre-paid meters, but only few consumers were lucky to have them.
“Since 2012 and 2013, when some houses were given free pre-paid meters, other houses have been under the bondage of estimated billing which has resulted to ‘crazy billing.
“This extortion is unacceptable to the community, especially when EKEDP refuses to use meter for billings,’’ he said.
Ipadeola, therefore, appealed to the management of the company to improve electricity supply to the community and also provide pre-paid meters.
Mr Godwin Idemudia, the spokesman for EKEDP, told NAN that the company was doing everything possible to improve power supply in the town.
Idemudia said the drop in supply to some of the areas was as a result of drop in the supply from the national grid and subsequent bulk energy load to the company.
He said the situation was usually beyond the company.
Idemudia appealed to both residents and business operators to remain calm, saying power supply would improve whenever there was increased allocation to the company.