Residents, traders lament 4-day blackout after 2nd rain wreaks havoc in Ilorin

By Ahmed Ajikobi
Residents of Ilorin in Kwara State, have been thrown into darkness following the rainstorm that wreak havoc in parts of the metropolis on Friday.
The affected areas are Egbejila,Emirs road,Irewolede, Oko-Erin, Muritala Muhammed way, Offa road, Maraba, Fate and Tanke among others.
During a visit by National Pilot to the affected areas, it was observed that roofs of some houses and shops had been blown off while electrical installations were destroyed.
It was also observed that some of the affected buildings were empty as the occupants had relocated to seek refuge in other places.
Cross section of victims who spoke to this medium, recounted their losses occasioned by the second rainfall in the year.
Muyinat Ayinde, a frozen food and provision seller in Egbejila area lamented that the power outage in the area has a result of the heavy down pour has affected her business.
According to her, the four-day blackout was due to the rainstorm that destroyed many electric poles in the area.
She appealed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to effect the repairs of the damaged electrical installation so that electricity can be restored to the area.
A trader in Oko-Erin area, Olaide Mashood has continued to count her loss following the rainstorm, saying that her goods were destroyed by rain after the roof of the shop was blown off.
Rasheedat Yayaha, a resident of Oko-Erin appealed to IBEDC to restore power supply to the area, for security reasons, noting that criminals can take advantage of the blackout to perpetrate their nefarious acts.
Also speaking, National Pilot staff, Jimoh Sulyman narrated how he escaped death on the fateful day.
According to him the wood from the roof fell through into his room while he was asleep.
“I escaped death by the whiskers. It happened suddenly. An heavy wood with numerous nails on it fell into my room and landed just few meters to where I laid. It was such a traumatic experience. It was a near death experience.
Speaking on the development, the Regional Communication Officer, Kwara Region of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company IBEDC, Asawaju Kolawole said that the technical team were on ground working to fix the problem.
“We are very sorry it was a natural phenomenal. Our customers should be patience with us as we are working on it. ”
Kolawole said further that power supply was being restored gradually to parts of the metropolis, assuring that all the affected areas would soon enjoy electricity again.