Published 9th Apr, 2022

By Lolade Olu-Ojegbeje

Residents of Osanyilusi Quarters, Oshokoti Layout, Akure, Ondo State, are lamenting the unavailability of stable electricity in the community, after Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State Governor, promised to address the situation.

Temitope Oluwaseun, a resident of the area, told FIJ on Tuesday that Akeredolu gave the community a transformer during his first term in office. As part of his second term campaign plans, he promised to power the transformer if he was re-elected as governor of the state. Since then, power has remained a luxury in the community.

“The governor gave us a transformer during his first term in office, after the one we had spoilt. He visited the community during his second-term campaigns and promised to commission the transformer for use if he won the election, but since then, he hasn’t fulfilled his promise,” Oluwaseun said.

Because the transformer cannot generate electricity, residents depend on Isolo, a neighbouring community, for power.

“We now generate power from another transformer in Isolo. This make us have power once in three to four days. And when we do, it is usually low voltage,” he said.

Akinsara Olumide, Chairman, Oshokoti Landlords Association, also said all efforts made to power the transformer have been futile.

“Akeredolu said he would launch the transformer if he won his second term bid. We have written to the state government and the Ondo State Electricity Board, but all they do is come to inspect the transformer, write reports and leave,” he said.

He told FIJ that the cables attached to the transformer were stolen during one of such inspections. “It was around the time of such inspections that the cables got missing. A carpenter or lawyer will not come to steal cables from a transformer. Those that know how to operate the transformer stole it,” he said.

FIJ contacted the office of the governor, but the line was switched off. A text message sent to the line had also not been responded to at press time.

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