Get Guardian on GoogleTraders under the Association of Shop Owners, Sura Complex on Lagos Island, marched to the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) in Marina, to demand an end to the erratic power supply to its complex. The protesters, led by their chairman, Mrs. Bunmi Ann Ajayi, said as a result of the erratic supply, they have resolved not to source electricity through the EKEDC but through an Independent Power Project (IPP).
The protesters came with placards with varied inscriptions such as: “Sura Association say no to EKEDC, we want IPP,” “Stop EKEDC exploitation, IPP come to rescue us,” “We are tired of epileptic power supply, EKEDC stop disrupting our businesses,” FG save our businesses, give us IPP,” “Uninterrupted power supply is an illusion under EKEDC,” among others.
The protesters complained that with the epileptic power situation, over 1,000 shops in the complex had virtually become empty as many business owners had left due to collapse of their businesses.
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The chairman of the association, lamented that EKEDC lacked efficient customer service, and where only interested in forcing her members to pay their “outrageous” electricity bills or be disconnected.
She disclosed that her members had resolved to sign an undertaking with a company engaged in IPP based to provide it electricity, as it has become apparent it needs alternate power supply.
The Chief Executive Officer of EKEDC, Adeoye Fadeyi, addressing the protesters, said the issues at stake that led to the disconnection of the customers would be resolved through dialogue. He promised that the shopping complex would be immediately reconnected while the company would find time to resolve the other issues at stake.
