Residents of the Ibeshe area in Ikorodu are despairing over the future of their electricity supply after a violent storm wreaked havoc, damaging electric poles and leaving buildings exposed.
The storm, which struck following a midnight rain, caused extensive damage to the roofs of numerous buildings in the Salisu and Soji Taiwo Streets, off Adelegan Street.
The scene in the aftermath was one of chaos and distress. Occupants of the affected buildings were seen hurriedly moving their belongings to undisclosed locations, while carpenters worked feverishly to repair damaged roofs. The streets were littered with fallen electric poles, further deepening residents’ fears.
“Let’s just say bye bye to electricity. With this current situation, we may not have light throughout this year again,” lamented a resident, reflecting the widespread concern that the damage might take months to repair.
Despite assurances from some residents that the electricity authorities have been contacted to disconnect the fallen lines, the community remains skeptical about a swift resolution.
“Whenever it rains, it usually takes two to three days to restore electricity. Now that poles are damaged, what’s our hope that it will be restored soon? That is our fear,” said another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous.
This intensifies a growing fear that local businesses might grind to a halt without a reliable power supply.
Adding to the community’s woes, Keme Balogun, a government school in the neighborhood, was also affected by the storm.
The residents are appealing to Ikeja Electric to swiftly respond and salvage the situation on time.
When contacted, a local political leader responded briefly, “We are on top of it. All first-hand information has been provided to the relevant authorities.”
