Residents of Awoyaya/Cele-Imedu and Iraboko communities in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State have celebrated the restoration of electricity after five years of blackout.
Epe Insights reports that the development followed the donation and delivery of a new transformer by the APC candidate for Ibeju-Lekki Constituency I, Hon. (Engr.) Abiola Okanlawon Olowu, OKL, FNSE.
The affected communities had reportedly remained without electricity since 2021 after their transformer became faulty.
The prolonged blackout created difficulties for residents and negatively affected small businesses, students and households across the communities.
The return of electricity sparked jubilation among residents who trooped out to welcome Olowu and members of his campaign team.
Community elders, youths, women and children were among those who participated in the celebration.
Residents expressed their excitement through songs and prayers as they welcomed the intervention.
The new transformer is expected to provide a major boost to electricity supply across Awoyaya/Cele-Imedu and Iraboko.
The intervention came during a stakeholders’ engagement held at Awoyaya/Cele-Imedu, where residents had the opportunity to share their experiences with Olowu.
Speaking during the engagement, Olowu said he was moved by the challenges residents had endured during the prolonged blackout.
He noted that he could not remain indifferent while people within the constituency continued to struggle without electricity.
According to him, electricity remains an important driver of economic growth and community development.
Olowu said the restoration of power was intended to respond directly to the needs of residents and demonstrate the importance of people-focused representation.
He described the intervention as only the beginning of what he hopes to achieve for the people of Ibeju-Lekki.
The APC candidate also emphasised the need for political representatives to understand the challenges facing their constituents and respond appropriately.
His intervention was welcomed by residents who described the return of electricity as a significant relief after years of darkness.
The prolonged power outage had reportedly affected commercial activities in the communities.
Small businesses that depend on electricity for their daily operations were among those affected by the faulty transformer.
Students and families were also said to have faced challenges as residents struggled with the impact of living without regular electricity.
For residents, the arrival of the new transformer therefore represented more than an infrastructure intervention.
It was seen as an opportunity to revive economic activities and improve living conditions within the affected communities.
During the stakeholders’ engagement, residents also discussed the appropriate location for the installation of the new transformer.
The communities agreed to establish a committee that would determine the most suitable location.
The decision is expected to ensure that Awoyaya/Cele-Imedu and Iraboko communities benefit fairly from the restored electricity supply.
The proposed committee will also provide an avenue for residents to participate in decisions concerning the installation.
Community participation is expected to help minimise disagreements and promote equitable access to the electricity infrastructure.
Residents expressed appreciation to Olowu for responding to their concerns and providing the transformer.
They described the intervention as timely, particularly after several years of living without electricity.
Some residents also commended the candidate for visiting the communities and engaging directly with stakeholders.
The development has added to ongoing political conversations ahead of the Lagos State House of Assembly election.
Olowu is seeking to represent Ibeju-Lekki Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
His supporters have continued to highlight interventions and grassroots engagements as part of his campaign activities.
For the residents of Awoyaya/Cele-Imedu and Iraboko, however, the immediate focus remains on the restoration of electricity.
The communities are expected to work together to determine the best location for the transformer and facilitate its installation.
Residents also prayed for the success of Olowu at the polls, describing him as a leader who understands their needs.
They said his intervention had demonstrated the importance of responding to issues that directly affect everyday life.
The return of electricity is expected to provide relief to households while creating better conditions for small businesses and students.
It could also contribute to improved economic activities across the communities once the transformer is fully installed and operational.
The five-year blackout had become a major concern for residents, making the restoration of power a significant community development milestone.
The intervention has therefore generated optimism among residents who hope for sustained improvement in electricity supply.
Olowu’s message during the engagement was that effective representation should involve listening to residents and taking practical steps to address their concerns.
The restoration project has given residents of the affected communities a renewed sense of hope after years of dealing with the challenges caused by the blackout.
As the communities prepare for the installation of the new transformer, residents have pledged to work collectively to ensure its effective utilisation.
For Awoyaya/Cele-Imedu and Iraboko, the return of electricity marks a welcome change after five years of darkness.
The development has also renewed calls for sustained attention to infrastructure and basic services across communities in Ibeju-Lekki.
