NAN-H-68
Pole
By Rukayat Adeyemi
Lagos, Feb. 21, 2017 (NAN) Residents of Shagari Estate in Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Lagos, have urged the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) to repair the eroded basement of a pole in the area carrying 33kv high tension cables.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had reported in September that the pole, located at Zone A, AB Street, Shagari Federal Low Cost Hosing Estate, Ipaja road, had fallen due to the erosion of the base holding it in place near a canal.
Mr Olufemi Ojo, Chairman, Community Development Association (CDA) in the area, who made the call, told NAN that the problem later worsened due to neglect.
“In the Shagari Estate, where the 33kv (line) has fallen for six months now, despite all our effort, letters, consultation, engagements, the pole has not been restored.
“But Ikeja Electric was able to source for light for those that did not have power.
“So the issue has not been addressed at all; the pole carrying the high tension cables is still there hanging even though they have switched off power.’’
Ojo said that during the 2016 rainy season, occupants of nearby houses were advised to vacate the area to prevent disaster.
“They said the issue of canal and all of that is not yet in the budget as at last year. So, maybe they are trying to put it in this (2017) budget.
“But even if it is not in the budget, they should look for funds they can use, at least to repair that canal.
“If that canal is done, then the Ikeja Electric will be able to mount their poles properly and the source of light will be restored; that is what we are clamouring for.’’
The Chairman of the council development area, Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi, told NAN that there was nothing the state government could do until the electricity distribution company was ready to repair the base of the pole.
“I have spoken with an official of IKEDC in the area, who also claimed to have reported the matter to the head office at Ikeja.
“I have also notified the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and its officials had inspected the erosion devastated site,’’ Ogunwuyi said.
Ogunwuyi said if nothing was done to address the issue, many lives would be in danger.
Reacting, Mr Felix Ofulue, the Head, Corporate Communications Unit, IKEDC, told NAN that the company was aware of the fallen pole in the area.
Ofulue added that the company was waiting for the relevant state agency in charge of erosion prevention to clear the canal and reconstruct the basement in the area before the pole would be erected.
He said the company had to cut off power supply to the area as a precautionary measure.
He, therefore, appealed to residents of the area to remain patient, as power supply to the area would be restored as soon as preliminary works were concluded.
“The company is aware of the problem in the area that is why we cut supply to the area as a measure to prevent possible electrocution.
“What we are waiting for now is for the necessary agency to fix the canal before we can mount the poles and restore power supply to the area.
“We promised not to delay our work, once everything is fixed,’’ he said.
A top official of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, who prefers to remain anonymous, told NAN that although the complaint of the residents of the estate had been note, follow-up efforts still needed to be made.
The official advised residents of the area to report all erosion concerns to the Land Reclamation and Erosion Control Unit of the state’s Ministry of Environment.
According to the official, all letter of complaint should be routed through the commissioner and a copy sent to control_erosion@yahoo.com for monitoring and collation. (NAN)
Reporters/AIB/YEE
Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Emmanuel Yashim
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