KEY POINTS
- Akoka residents complain of two-hour daily power despite Band A tariff.
- Businesses and homes suffer due to unreliable electricity supply.
- Protesters call on Ikeja Electric to address the crisis immediately.
Residents of Akoka, Lagos State, have taken to the streets to protest poor electricity supply, claiming they receive only two hours of power daily despite being migrated to Band A. Holding placards with messages such as “Save our souls in Akoka,” the protesters expressed frustration over the worsening power situation in their community.
In a video obtained by our correspondent, one protester explained that repeated appeals to the nearest Ikeja Electric office had been ignored. “We paid for Band A, but we do not have light. We went from a constant power supply to barely two hours a day. It’s affecting our businesses and our environment,” she said.
Impact of poor power supply on businesses and homes
Residents highlighted the devastating impact of the power shortage on their livelihoods and living conditions. Businesses have been struggling to operate due to unreliable electricity, while households face pollution and discomfort caused by an over-reliance on generators.
“This is a peaceful demonstration to show how unhappy we feel,” one protester stated. “We’re pleading with Ikeja Electric and the authorities to listen to our cries. Akoka has always been a good community, and we want it to remain so.”
Residents demand urgent action from Ikeja Electric
Under the Band A tariff, customers are entitled to at least 20 hours of electricity daily. However, Akoka residents claim they receive far less, prompting the call for immediate intervention by Ikeja Electric and other relevant authorities.
At the time of filing this report, Ikeja Electric spokesperson Kingsley Okotie had yet to respond to inquiries regarding the protests. Residents remain hopeful that their grievances will soon be addressed to restore reliable power supply to their community.
