Residents belonging to the Take Back FESTAC movement gathered at the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) headquarters in Marina, Lagos, on Tuesday to demand immediate improvements to their power supply. The protesters warned that if electricity is not restored within 48 hours, they will initiate widespread action. The community has endured eight months of frequent blackouts and unfair estimated billing practices, which they claim have paralyzed local businesses and harmed daily life.
Comrade Valentine Uduebor, the group’s convener, noted that residents had previously trusted EKEDC’s promises of improvement, but those commitments remained unfulfilled. He highlighted that despite buying prepaid tokens, he rarely receives electricity to consume, raising concerns about how the utility company justifies its revenue. The protesters are urging the federal government to intervene, citing bureaucratic obstacles as a primary reason for the persistent failure in power distribution.
Chief James Ibeka, the vice president of the group, emphasized that the energy collapse has forced families to spend massive amounts on fuel for generators, with some daily costs reaching 10,000 naira. This financial strain, combined with the inability to preserve food or run basic home appliances, has pushed the community to its breaking point. Meanwhile, local businesses and medical facilities face severe operational risks; Dr. Dumebi Owa pointed out that hospitals struggling with unreliable power endanger patients requiring life-saving equipment.
Nathaniel Ussi, the group’s spokesperson, criticized the reliance on estimated billing and called for the rapid deployment of prepaid meters. Residents like Michael from 41 Road corroborated these claims, noting that they are forced to pay for services they never receive. Following the protest, a small delegation was granted a closed-door meeting with EKEDC management. Representatives from the company did not provide a formal statement to the press following the encounter.
