Residents of Temitope and Ifowosowopo communities in Apara, Ward 7, Atakunmosa West Local Government Area of Osun State, have decried the lack of electricity in their area, which has persisted for 21 years.
According to the residents, their communities have been without power since 2003, with successive governments failing to address their plight despite repeated appeals.
The prolonged blackout has crippled economic activities and forced many artisans and business owners to relocate.
Speaking on the issue, the Chairman of the Temitope Community Development Association, Mr. Adetunji Adebayo, described the dire situation, noting how the lack of electricity has forced residents to travel long distances to Osunjela or Ilesa Garage in Osogbo to access essential goods and services.
“We have written countless letters to the government, but nothing has been done. We even contributed money to purchase cables and wires, but the main challenge is the transformer, which we cannot afford,” Adebayo explained.
“If we had a transformer today, our community would be lit the next day. We appeal to the government to help us.”
Similarly, the Chairman of Ifowosowopo Community, Mr. Rafiu Sulaimon, expressed frustration with the government’s inaction, adding that over six communities have been affected by the power outage.
“We have been in darkness for over 20 years, and the government has ignored our pleas. All we need is a transformer, yet successive administrations have refused to provide it.
“I am pleading once again with the government and well-meaning individuals to come to our aid. We deserve a better life,” Sulaimon stated.
The prolonged power outage has severely impacted livelihoods in the area, as artisans such as welders and barbers, whose work relies on electricity, have been forced to shut down or relocate.
Residents are now calling on the state government and philanthropists to urgently intervene and restore light to their communities.
