The Sagamu Local Government has held an emergency meeting with officials of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over the persistent power outage that has plunged Sagamu and neighbouring communities into darkness.
The high-level engagement followed growing frustration among residents and business owners over the prolonged blackout, which has significantly disrupted commercial activities, healthcare services, and daily life across the town.
Opening the meeting, the Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Jubril Afolabi Odulate, expressed deep concern about the situation, describing it as a major challenge for both the people and the local administration. He noted that the absence of electricity has slowed economic activities, affected small and medium-scale enterprises, and placed additional burdens on households already grappling with rising living costs.
“The current blackout has become a serious concern to our people. Businesses are suffering, essential services are being strained, and our residents deserve clear information and prompt action,” the chairman stated, emphasizing the urgency of the meeting.
In response, the IBEDC Business Manager for the Sagamu Business Hub, Mr. Olusegun Ebinowen, assured the council that the company is actively working to resolve the technical issues responsible for the outage. He explained that efforts have already begun to sensitize residents about the situation and the steps being taken to restore power.
According to him, a town crier has been deployed across affected communities to inform residents about the ongoing technical challenges and to reassure them that restoration efforts are underway.
Further clarification was provided by the IBEDC Technical Engineer for the Sagamu Business Hub, Mr. Isaac Boyenle, who revealed that the fault extends beyond Sagamu. He disclosed that other major towns, including Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, and Mowe, are also experiencing similar outages.
He explained that the widespread nature of the technical fault requires coordinated intervention across multiple locations, making it difficult to provide an immediate timeline for full restoration.
When pressed by the chairman on how long residents should expect the blackout to persist, the technical engineer admitted that a definite timeframe could not be given at the moment. However, he assured that once the supply stabilizes and accurate updates become available, the public would be promptly informed.
The meeting concluded with the local government reiterating its commitment to closely monitor the situation and maintain engagement with IBEDC until electricity supply is fully restored.
In a move aimed at easing the burden on residents, Chairman Odulate appealed to IBEDC to temporarily suspend disconnections and halt the issuance of electricity bills during the blackout period. Responding to the appeal, the Business Manager agreed that, for now, the company would suspend disconnections and pause the distribution of bills until the situation improves.
Residents have welcomed the intervention as a step in the right direction, while expressing hope that restoration efforts will yield swift results and bring much-needed relief to homes and businesses across Sagamu.
