Residents of Arepo, Ogun State, protested on Wednesday at the Ikeja Electric (IE) office in Alausa over persistent power outages, citing severe disruptions to daily life and business operations. The demonstration, described as peaceful, was led by a community group called Voice of Arepo, with Mr Weath Sunday identified as the group's leader. Sunday told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that electricity supply in the area rarely exceeded two to five hours per day, despite the community being on Band B tariff. He questioned the purpose of frequent IE visits to Arepo if no improvements followed, demanding clarity on whether load rationing was in place. Residents reported damaged appliances, spoiled food, and financial losses due to the unreliable power. One of the protest conveners, Mr Mudi Charles, said neighbouring communities on the same tariff received better service and expressed dissatisfaction with estimated billing practices. Charles noted that power supply had been better when Arepo was on Band A tariff. In response, Mr Ezekiel Olushola, IE's Technical Lead for Arepo, acknowledged the community's grievances and attributed the poor supply to reduced allocation from the national grid. He stated that IE could only distribute what it received and advised residents to submit formal complaints to management. Olushola commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
The protest in Arepo exposes the disconnect between tariff classification and actual service delivery, as residents on Band B receive fewer hours of power than promised. IE's response shifts responsibility to the national grid without offering a timeline or solution for affected customers. If nearby communities on the same tariff get more electricity, the distribution mechanism appears inconsistent or unfair. This undermines public trust in both the utility provider and the tariff system meant to ensure equitable supply.
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