Lagos Assembly Laments Power Outages In Communities -Committee To Investigate Power Challenge

The Lagos State House of Assembly has decried the absence of power supply to communities within the Badagry Constituency I as well as other parts of the country.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Assembly’s Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources to investigate the issue surrounding the power outage and report back in one week.

The decision of the Speaker followed a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ raised by Hon. Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) during plenary.

Bonu stated that the communities had experienced power outages for many years with negative effects on the economic activities of the people.

He lamented that the affected communities share boundaries with two international borders and generate revenues for the State and the country.

“I stand before the House to highlight the critical and prolonged power outage impacting Badagry West, including communities like Gbaji, Apa, Owode, Kweme, Seme, Asipa among others for four years. These areas have been without electricity, leading to significant socio-economic challenges.”

He stated that Badagry being the point of entrance into Nigeria through Lagos in South-West, it saddens seeing this communities in total blackout owning to power energy Infrastructural deficiency.

He hold no words back saying, despite Badagry’s civilisation in Lagos, Nigeria, yet still suffer modern civilization infrastructure such as Electricity. Electricity power supply to this axis is being connected through two lines of 33KVA and 11KVA from substation in Agbara Ogun state. Due to infrastructure decay with little or no improvement in facilities upgrading and maintenance culture, power supply trip-off always occurs at little rainfall least we talk of heavy rainfalls.”

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Setonji David confirmed the situation; theft of electricity cables and how to resolve it.

While Hon. Tijani Suraju also showed concern about the outage in parts of his constituency. He appealed to the leadership of the House for intervention.

Commending the Speaker and his colleagues for the quick intervention concerning the power crisis that once rocked his Ikorodu constituency and left the people in darkness for eight years, Hon. Aro Moshood further urged his colleagues to call the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company to explain why the communities face darkness.

Hon. Gbolahon Yishawu said there should be a way to punish those that steal electric cables and materials.

He further mentioned that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources should also be asked questions.

The House Committee Chairman on Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Oluwa Sabur expressed hope that the challenge would be resolved, noting that the House under Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa passed the Lagos State Electricity Bill which will be implemented immediately Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu grants assent.