By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Transformer: Photo used to illustrate the story |
BADAGRY, LAGOS – The residents of Iragon community in Badagry are facing a protracted blackout and significant financial loss after the catastrophic failure of a fourth transformers in five months, which they allege was directly caused by negligence and illegal connections facilitated by staff of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).
The latest transformer exploded on Monday, just moments after being connected to the grid, deepening a crisis that has left the community in darkness and frustration.
According to residents, the recurring transformer failures stem from a web of "interwoven connections," where consumers from communities of Iragbo and Javie are illegally tapping into Iragon's power lines.
Community representative on the transformer repairs Vincent Ogun, stated that despite repeatedly bringing this critical issue to the attention of EKEDC technical staff, Mr. Kennedy, their warnings were ignored. Ogun claimed that after an investigation and a formal written letter, Mr. Kennedy attempted to disconnect the illegal lines but was obstructed by the Zonal Head, Mrs. Omolewa Ayeola Sowunmi, who allegedly insisted the connections were official.
The situation escalated into a public confrontation. "The technical person visited to disconnect the interwoven cables. After weeks, the Zonal Head came with another set of personnel and reconnected the same cables," Ogun stated.
Sources confirm that When he came into Iragon to connect the transformer on Monday, he didn't inform any members of the community again because, he knows he won't be allowed unless those axes are disconnected.
Another source in the community alleged that financial inducement was a key motive, claiming, "I tell you categorically that, they received some amount from those set of people before illegally connecting them." This has created a cycle where overloaded and faulty wiring repeatedly destroys any new transformer installed.
When contacted for a response, EKEDC officials offered a starkly different explanation. The Zonal Manager, Mrs. Sowunmi, flatly denied all allegations of wrongdoing, including collecting money or forcing any improper connections. In a baffling analogy for the transformer's failure, she stated, "a transformer is just like a human who can be fine now and dies in the next minute," and shifted responsibility by saying the community should have procured a transformer with a guarantee.
Mr. Kennedy, the technical officer, provided a conflicting account, blaming the failures on an initial "leakage" and later on interference by a local Baale. While he acknowledged a "leaking" phase on the Javie line which uses a bulk billing system attractive to those seeking lower tariffs he initially claimed there were no interwoven connections, a statement directly contradicted by the community's evidence and the subsequent transformer explosion.
The community now remains in a dire situation, demanding accountability from EKEDC and a permanent solution before another transformer is installed, fearing the same fate will befall a fifth.