By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Hon. Bonu Solomon Saanu Electric Bulb |
BADAGRY, LAGOS – The Lagos State Government has moved to calm nerves in the Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), assuring residents that the restoration of electricity to their homes is imminent.
This clarification comes just 24-hour after the official commissioning of a massive re-electrification project that promises to end several years blackout in the border communities.
On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, led a high-powered delegation to commission the power project, which officially reconnected the LCDA to the national grid. However, following the ceremony, some residents raised concerns over the continued absence of power in their individual households, sparking questions about the project's status.
In an exclusive conversation with sources close to the state government, it was revealed that the gap between a ceremonial commissioning and actual power distribution is often due to technical and administrative protocols. "Major projects are sometimes commissioned once the core infrastructure is verified, often aligned with the availability of top government officials," the source explained.
For a project of this magnitude which involves a 37.7-kilometer network and over 51 new transformers the process of "energizing" the system is not instantaneous. Each transformer must undergo an individual powering process, a technical requirement that ensures the safety of the equipment and the consumers.
Technical experts noted that powering a single transformer can take between 24 to 48 hours to complete safely. Given the dozens of transformers distributed across the Gbaji, Seme, Owode, and Apa axes, the full integration of the network could realistically take several weeks.
"Powering these transformers individually is a safety precaution," the source added. "While it might take a month or two to cover the entire council area, it is a necessary step to prevent equipment failure and ensure a stable supply of electricity for the long term."
Despite the short wait for full connectivity, residents have expressed profound gratitude for the political will that brought the project to life. Mautin Nupo, a local resident, praised the efforts of Hon. Bonu Saanu Solomon, the member representing Badagry Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
"We have been suffering this disconnection long before Hon. Bonu got into office," Nupo stated. "Since his emergence, he has consistently assured us that the electricity challenges would be solved. Today, we thank God that his promises have been kept. We pray God continues to bless him for his dedication."
Insiders have also pointed out that the re-electrification was not just a routine government project, but the result of intense advocacy. Sources close to the administration noted that the project might have stalled if not for the "personal efforts" and persistent follow-ups by Hon. Bonu, who chairs the House Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Culture.
The lawmaker’s ability to keep the plight of the Badagry West border communities on the front burner of state discourse has been cited as the primary reason the project received the necessary funding and technical priority through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
As the technical teams move from one transformer to the next, the "Greater Lagos" vision is finally becoming a reality for the people of Badagry West. The government has urged residents to remain patient and protect the newly installed infrastructure from vandalism, as the era of total darkness officially comes to an end.