The Ogun State House of Assembly has formally called on the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to accelerate the restoration of electricity in several communities affected by the destruction of power infrastructure caused by trucks belonging to the Dangote Cement factory.
During a plenary session held on Tuesday, Speaker Oludaisi Elemide made the appeal, urging IBEDC to swiftly energize the communities whose electricity poles and installations were demolished by Dangote Cement factory vehicles. The Speaker’s remarks followed a report from Honorable Adegoke Adeyanju, the lawmaker representing Yewa North 1 State Constituency, who confirmed that the Dangote Cement factory had fulfilled its commitment by donating all the necessary materials to repair the damaged electricity infrastructure.
“We commend the Dangote Cement factory for their prompt gesture in supplying the required equipment to fix the poles and installations. We now call on IBEDC to meet their obligations and ensure power is restored without further delay,” Speaker Elemide said.
Honorable Adeyanju, in his submission, emphasized that the Dangote Cement factory’s donation removed all material hurdles to re-electrification in the affected areas. He urged IBEDC to expedite their technical and operational processes to restore power, pointing out that the communities had been without electricity for several weeks.
Adeyanju also expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers, particularly the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, as well as local youth organizations including the National Youth Council, for their ongoing support and collaboration in addressing the issue.
The Ogun State House of Assembly’s intervention underscores the growing concerns of residents in the affected communities, where electricity outages have disrupted daily activities and local businesses. The prompt response from Dangote Cement factory, donating poles, transformers, and other vital equipment, signals a positive corporate social responsibility step.
However, the responsibility now rests squarely on IBEDC to restore power, following a prior commitment made during a tripartite meeting with the State House of Assembly, where the utility company promised to complete the re-electrification within six weeks.
Speaker Elemide reiterated, “IBEDC must not delay further. It is imperative that the affected communities receive stable and reliable electricity supply, which is critical for socio-economic development and the welfare of the people.”
In the same plenary session, the House also directed its Committee to engage with the Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to address urgent road repair concerns. This was in response to a plea by Honorable Olusegun Odunuga regarding the deteriorating state of the Imodi-Mosan roads, which has posed challenges for commuters and residents in his constituency.
Additionally, the member representing Ifo 2 State Constituency, Fola Salami, presented a petition from residents of Oke-Aro, Akute, Asoore, and Ajuwon areas regarding environmental degradation caused by water pipe installations by SALINI Nigeria Limited for Lagos State.
The calls for improved power supply and better infrastructure highlight the critical need for effective collaboration between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and community representatives. Reliable electricity and well-maintained roads are essential for attracting investments, boosting local commerce, and enhancing the quality of life for residents in Ogun State.
With the ongoing efforts from stakeholders like Dangote Cement and the proactive stance of the Ogun State House of Assembly, there is hope that these challenges will be addressed swiftly. The cooperation of IBEDC remains vital in ensuring that communities experience uninterrupted power, enabling them to thrive economically and socially.