Kwara Residents Protest 11-Month Blackout

After nearly a year of total blackout, residents of 44 communities under the Sobi Poly Feeder in Oke-Fomo, Ilorin West Local Government Area, staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday against the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

Carrying placards with messages like “We are tired of blackout” and “Power to the people, not just a promise,” the protesters lamented the devastating impact of the prolonged power outage on their businesses, security, and daily lives.

Community leader, Engr. Abdulkareem Jimoh, described the situation as unbearable, noting that while other parts of Kwara State enjoy electricity, their communities have been plunged into darkness since February 2024.

“Our economic activities have collapsed. Business owners who depend on electricity have shut down, while those using generators are struggling with high fuel costs. Even access to water has become difficult because boreholes are not functioning,” he said.

Jimoh blamed the crisis on IBEDC’s decision to replace a 100MVA transformer with a lower-capacity 45MVA transformer, which he argued is insufficient to meet the energy demands of the affected areas.

He called on the power company to restore a higher-capacity transformer to ease residents’ suffering.

Beyond economic hardship, the blackout has also fueled insecurity. A representative of Alawo Community, Comrade Ismail Alada, warned that criminals have taken advantage of the darkness, leading to increased thefts, burglaries, and even kidnappings.

“Our people no longer sleep peacefully. Criminals are terrorizing us under the cover of darkness, and some residents have even been kidnapped. The government must act before things get out of control,” he said.

Chairman of the Joint Sobi Poly Feeder Communities, Abdulrasheed Ishaq, appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene, stressing that the power crisis is worsening poverty in the area.

“No matter how much we invest in solar power, it cannot replace stable electricity. IBEDC must act now before frustration boils over,” Ishaq cautioned.

The affected communities—including Ajibesin, Alawo, Olayeri, Agbojulogun, Idi-Isin, Orisunbare Okolowo, Iyemoja, Ifesowapo, and Oke-Fomo—are demanding an immediate restoration of power, installation of prepaid meters, and replacement of outdated infrastructure to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply.

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