Protesters out on the street
Apete, Ajibode, Awotan, Araromi, Arola residents and other communities in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, in their numbers took to the streets protesting against what they termed “erratic supply of electricity” in their various communities.
The people who staged the peaceful protest to register their grievances, expressed their unhappiness over the long hours of darkness occasioned by poor electricity supply and outrageous bill by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
Some of the representatives of the communities including Awotan, Adaba, Alakuta, Oloya Ajibode, Fanawole, Ariyibi Alapata, Akere, Yidi, Papa Olorunsogo, Araromi, Adeosun, Akufo, Waja, Jeje, Onigbodogi, Aiyegun Osaji and Idi Oro among others, were part of the protest, which culminated at Awotan junction.
The protesters, displayed placards bearing different inscriptions, which expressed their thoughts on the irregular supply of power to their areas, accused management of the electricity firm of crippling their businesses and subjecting them to attacks by hoodlums, particularly in the night.
Speaking to journalists, President of Awotan Community Landlord Association, Engineer Rasaq Fabayo, said that it wass sad that over 50 communities had been subjected to long hours of darkness by the IBDEC.
Said he: “They don’t give us light in the day and at night when they give us, it is just two hours, at times less than 30 minutes and at the end of the month, they bring crazy bill.
“Because of this, most of the artisans especially those who cannot afford to buy generators have moved out of the community, the impact on the economic situation is negative because of the electricity situation.
“We have written several letters to the management of the IBEDC, and National Electricity Regulatory Company NERC, they are yet to reply us, this protest is a kind of warning protest to sensitise them on the plight of the residents of communities in Apete”.
