By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Hon. Oluwafemi Mukaila |
Hon. Oluwafemi Mukaila, immediate past speaker Badagry West LCDA, has facilitated a transformer for Agbovipe community in Badagry, Lagos State, after 2 years and 18 months of blackout.
The 300 KVA transformer was delivered to the community on Friday, and the commuters are in jubilation.
Chief (Hon) Thonda Pentho Peter, the Baale of Agbovipe, Ajara, Badagry told News Peddlers that after the only transformer collapsed in 2021, every effort to get another one was abortive as all the political officeholders turned deaf ears to their plea.
"We wrote letters to the power holders, those in political office, and the governor, but there was no response, not until one of our former chancellors, the person of Honourable Femi Mukaila, intervened. He took an interest in the matter, and he worked with me seriously, who helped us to solicit for the transformer from his people at the state government.
"As God will have it, God crowned his efforts, and he assisted us. I got information a week before that the state government is granting our request by giving us the transformer, as God will have it. On Friday, a 300 kVA transformer was delivered," Baale said.
Agbovipe community has been in darkness since June 2022, until December 2024, this has led to economic downturn, and various entrepreneurs shut down their businesses.
The Baale added that "now we have one transformer, which we appreciate, but it is not enough. What Agbovipe really needs is comprehensive rural electrification. The last rural electrification was in 1988, which covered only the main settlement, but now the community has expanded, growing from 200 houses in 1988 to over 3000 houses in 2024.
"The CDA and the community have done little in their capacity to extend the electrification to other parts of the community with 16mm cable instead of the proper service wire," he said.
Kuton Amos, CDA secretary at Agbovipe, said, this came as a surprise after a long-awaited period. We have been writing letters since the day the transformer collapsed without any response, but when hope is dashed, the Governor came to our rescue, which we so much appreciate.
Kuton also affirmed the efforts of Hon. Mukaila, he played an active role to make sure the transformer gets to us. We want to believe that he is trying his possible best to make sure any area that needs his assistance gets it, he really tried, coupled with the efforts of Baaale.
Hon. Femi Mukaila said, "For two years, we've been without electricity, decent roads, and access to clean drinking water. Despite the efforts of our state House of Assembly, Representatives, and House of Assembly, the situation remains unchanged.
"I was compelled to write to the Governor's office to report the total blackout in our two communities, which has persisted for four years. I received a response stating that our request would be included in the next state budget. To my surprise, after several months, I was informed that the requested transformer had been approved and would be delivered to Badagry the following week.
"I was thrilled to hear this progress, and to my surprise, they delivered the transformer on Friday afternoon. I want to use this medium to really appreciate the governor of Lagos State, but I'm still appealing to the state government to please address the remaining three issues: providing light for Badagry West, supplying the remaining two transformers for Agbovipe, and remembering the Agbovipe-Erikiti and Agadangba roads in next year's budget, as the year is almost over.
"I want to express my gratitude to the Baale of Agbovipe and the entire community for maintaining peace in Agbovipe and Badagry West," he added.