Erosion throws residents of Shagari estate into darkness

Erosion threatens high tension pole in Shagari Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

Residents of Shagari Estate, Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Lagos, have been thrown into darkness as the base of some electric poles in the area have been eroded.

Investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals that the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) had switched off electric supply to the area to avert impending danger.

This is because the basement of one of the poles carrying 33KVA electric lines has been greatly eroded.

Mr Olufemi Ojo, the Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman in the area, told NAN that the problem had been on for a long time.

Ojo said that the case had been reported to the Sole Administrator of the LCDA, Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi, and other relevant government agencies, but that nothing was done to remedy the situation.

According to him, continuous rainfall for the past two weeks has further weakened the concrete base.

He said that emergency agencies had also visited the site to evaluate the problem and proffer solution.

“From investigations, the problem was caused by blockage of the canal by illegal structures in the area.

“There are also houses built even under the high electric tension.

“LASEMA told us in confidence that the repair will be done holistically and some houses would be demolished,’’ Ojo told NAN.

The LCDA administrator, Ogunwuyi urged the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company to urgently repair a collapsing pole at the Shagari Estate, before wreaking havoc.

He told NAN that the situation constituted threat to the lives and property of residents in the areas.

Ogunwuyi said the pole, located at Zone A, AB Str., Shagari Federal Low Cost Hosing Estate, on Ipaja road, had slipped out of its basement and could fall any moment soon.

He said that the problem was caused by erosion which is eating up the base of the pole.

Ogunwuyi said erosion has been eating the base for close to five years and that the council had been reported the matter to appropriate authorities.

According to him, there is nothing the State Government could do until the IKEDC is ready to repair the pole base.

“I have spoken with an official of the IKEDC in the area, who also claimed to have reported to the head office at Ikeja.

“I have also notified the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and its officials had come to inspect the erosion devastated site.

“Any rainfall may cause serious disaster in the area,” he said.

Ogunwuyi noted that it would be a great disaster if nothing was done in time to avert the impending danger.

The administrator said he had advised occupants of the nearby houses to vacate the site in order to avert endangering their lives.

Meanwhile, an official of the IKEDC, Gowon Estate branch in the area said that efforts were in top gear to ensure that the problem was fixed.

‎The official, who pleaded anonymity, however, told NAN that the matter had been reported to IKEDC headquarters in Ikeja.

“We will swing into action as soon as the needed equipment and facilities to remedy the situation are available.

“However, the head office is in a better position to say the level of preparation,” he said.