Ekiti Monarch Leads Protest Against Power Outage

L-R: Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, during the 50th anniversary Call-to-Bar of Afe Babalola (SAN), in Ibadan July 10, 2013

People of Iyin Ekiti community in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, led by the traditional ruler of the town, the Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, have protested against power cut by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company.

There were indications on Tuesday that youths from the town may attack BEDC and its officials due to the tension already generated in the community.

At a press briefing in Iyin Ekiti on Tuesday, Oba Ajakaiye lamented that the community had been thrown into darkness since May 21, with social and economic activities in the town paralyzed.

The Puncn report continues:

Oba Ajakaiye demanded an immediate restoration of power supply, repair of vandalized transformers, investigation into persistent tampering with transformers and availability of pre-paid meters.

The monarch, who spoke through one of his High Chiefs, the Odofinyin, Simon Ayodeji Esan, called on Governor Ayodele Fayose to intervene in the matter and prevent an attack on BEDC officials, as witnessed in other communities in the state.

He said efforts by the community to save the situation had been frustrated with the nonchalant attitude of the BEDC officials.

Oba Ajakaiye disclosed that the community had spent N477,000 to repair a transformer located along Igede Road, which would now require another N400,000 to fix it again.

The monarch said another transformer located on Ilawe Road had also been vandalized and would need N850,000 to reactivate it.

Oba Ajakaiye said to the surprise of the community that BEDC officials hit the town on May 21 to commence a mass disconnection when residents thought that they had come to proffer solution to the problem.

He said, “In its punitive measures, at least, so it appeared, BEDC thereafter disconnected the whole community, throwing the town into total blackout since May 21.

“We have never been humiliated like this; all efforts made to make the company change its mind and see reasons why its action was wearisome and capable of aggravating the bad situation proved abortive.

“We don’t want to be provoked to the extent of joining the league of towns that had their youths drawing daggers with the companies in the state.”