…Ijegun, Alapere communities also benefit
By Oluwole Farotimi
LAGOS State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode at the weekend donated a 500kva transformer to residents of Palmgroove Estate in Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, as part of the ongoing ‘Light Up Lagos’ initiative.
Ambode also donated transformers to two communities in Alapere and Ijegun respectively to boost electricity supply in their localities.
The governor, who was represented at the handing over ceremony by his Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo, had read about the plight of the residents via a newspaper publication where they appealed to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) to come to their aid to replace their ageing transformers.
The transformer at Palmgroove Estate, according to the residents, was installed in 1958 and had become problematic in the last 10 years, causing it to develop fault on a weekly basis.
Oluwo, in his remarks, said Ambode was of the view that if the electricity distribution companies were not making the right investment, the people would wallow in darkness, hence, his administration is poised to alleviate the suffering of Lagosians.
He recalled the setting up of a committee under the governor’s office which included the electricity generation companies, distribution companies, gas suppliers and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, saying the intention of the committee was to intervene as far as possible so as to ensure that the people have access to electricity.
Responding, President of Palmgroove Estate Residents Association, Captain Jide George said the prompt manner with which the governor responded to their plight was worthy of emulation by other leaders. He said it was an eloquent testimony of leadership by example.
“This is very much unprecedented. I never believed that such a thing could happen where you will just put something in the papers and the governor will respond to it expeditiously. We are ready to support the efforts of the governor. All of us are behind him and we want to say ‘thank you’ to the governor,” George said.