According to the Public Affairs Officer of the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), Mr Popoola Naheem Olaide, the proactive intervention of the CMC on Thursday, 11th June 2020, has averted the brewing tension between officials of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company and residents of Lasori Abuja/Ifedapo Estate Community in Ikorodu area of the State.
The Community had earlier written a petition to CMC, an agency of Lagos State Government under the Ministry of Justice over persistent outrageous billing by IKEDC to the residents of the community and the refusal of IKEDC to agree with the decision of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the authorised billing system as at February 2020.
These contentious issues between the Community and IKEDC officials led to the disconnection of the main power supply to the Community’s transformers by IKEDC officials.
This action by IKEDC officials infuriated the residents of the Community and was about leading to the breakdown of Law and Order but for the timely intervention of the Citizens’ Mediation Centre.
Mr Olaide further stated that,
“The Citizens Mediation Centre facilitated a Mediation session between the disputing parties where the issues were properly addressed and the following were agreed upon amicably:
I. That IKEDC shall immediately provide cluster prepaid metering for the Community;
II. That the issue of outrageous billing shall be looked into pending the provision of cluster metering by IKEDC;
III. That the power supply to the Community shall be restored immediately;
IV. That both parties shall maintain peace.
The Community leaders were full of appreciation to the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the quick intervention of the Citizens’ Mediation Centre.”
