Power Crisis Deepens as 63 Ogun Communities Face Reduced Electricity

By Chibuzor Alli

Businesses and households across 63 communities and areas in Ogun State are facing worsening electricity challenges after a load restriction on the Ota/Papa/Abeokuta 132kV network reduced power available to several feeders.

The development, affecting parts of multiple local government areas, has triggered complaints from residents who said the limited supply was often accompanied by low voltage and repeated outages.

The Ogun Region of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company disclosed the development in a notice issued to customers on Monday, attributing the reduced supply to restrictions on the 132kV network.

IBEDC announced, “Kindly be informed that due to load restrictions on the Ota/Papa/Abeokuta 132kV network, which is affecting the available power supply to our 33kV feeders serving the region, customers in the following areas may experience reduced power supply.”

The affected locations cut across Ado-Odo/Ota, Ifo, Imeko/Afon, Yewa North, Yewa South, Sagamu, Obafemi-Owode, Ewekoro and other parts of the state.

Among the areas listed by the DisCo are Ayetoro, Imeko, Ilaro, Odeda, Owode-Egba, Kobape, Bisodun, Omu, Arigbawonwo, Siun, Asipa, Orile-Imo, New Makun City, Pentagon Estate, Lufuwape, Lotto, Olowotedo, Orimerunmu, Ashimolowo, Adesan, Pakuro, Ogunrun, Maba, Imedu-Nla, Ofada Town and Ofada Road.

Others include Orunkole, Mobile, OPIC Road, Mosadomi, Asa-Bala, Mayegun, Christ Embassy Area, Tollgate, Eledi, Ijagba, Itele, Lafenwa, Olosun, Akeja, Abebi, Osi, Okede, Okesuna Estate, Iyana Iyesi, Egan, Ijaba, Ifo, Papalanto, Iyana Ilogbo, Iju and Oju Ore.

Iloye, Adalemo, Iyana Cele, Olomu, Owode Ijako, Ogungbade, Ibogun, Ajegunle, Ilepa, Ijako Onihale, Abeokuta and adjoining areas were also listed among locations experiencing reduced supply.

Residents complain of prolonged outages

The latest disruption has added to electricity concerns in communities where residents and businesses depend heavily on power supply for daily activities.

Emmanuel Martins said the limited hours of supply were frequently accompanied by voltage problems, while John Abba said some areas had already endured several days of darkness before the IBEDC announcement.

“This is coming after three or four days without electricity,” John Abba said.

Another resident, EL Phem, questioned when the situation would be addressed, asking, “Thanks for the update, but when will this be attended to?”

In Iyana Ilogbo, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, resident Bankole Olowookere said electricity returned briefly before another outage occurred.

“They restored the power supply at Iyana Ilogbo for, like, three hours before another outage around 1:45 AM on Monday. Please help us fix this as soon as possible,” he said.

Mopelola Lawal also reported prolonged darkness in Iju, saying, “This is coming after four days of darkness in Iju,” she said.

The complaints highlight the wider effect of unreliable electricity on homes and commercial activities across the affected communities, with residents urging the relevant authorities to speed up restoration efforts.

IBEDC promises updates

IBEDC said it was working with its value chain partners to monitor the situation and assess developments affecting supply.

“We are closely monitoring the situation with our value chain partners and will keep you updated on developments. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience,” the DisCo said.

The company did not give a specific timeline for the full restoration of supply in the affected Ogun communities but said customers would be updated as the situation develops.

Iwo communities also affected

The electricity challenges extend beyond Ogun, as some communities in Iwo, Osun State, were recently affected by a fault on the Iwo Township 11kV feeder.

The affected areas included Lawyer Atanda/Shouele, Olupona Axis, Asabi Okin/Asalu, Testing Ground/Water Works, Oluwo Palace/Osogbo Junction, Ole Agbo/Oweyo, Oke-Odo/Oke-Afo, Iwo Quarters, Ajinikirun/General Hospital, Panada and adjoining areas.

According to the distribution company, the Iwo outage resulted from a faulty breaker mechanism, with repair work ongoing.

IBEDC said electricity had been intermittently restored to some parts of the affected network to reduce the impact while its technical team worked towards restoring full supply.

The company also apologised to customers affected by the Iwo outage.