A transformer donated by the Lagos State Government is now a source of disagreement in Emily Akinola, Obayan and Iyiola Lawale streets in Akoka area of the state.
It was learnt that the disagreement was between a landlady in the area and majority of the residents. Some of the residents told PUNCH Metro that after they received the transformer from the government, officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria demanded N1.2m from them for its installation.
It was learnt that the residents came together and decided to levy each building to raise the N1.2m.
Our correspondent was told that disagreement started after the landlady refused to pay the levy, insisting that she would continue to use the old transformer.
A resident, Alhaji Tairu Mustapha, who is also the Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, Ward G, said, “We received a private transformer from a top government official in 2011.
“Prior to the recent donation, electricity was being rationed.
“When we finally got the new transformer, we went to the Bariga Undertaking office of the PHCN, where one Sonuga told us that we would need to pay N1.2m for its installation and other charges. We held a meeting among ourselves where it was decided that each house would contribute towards raising the N1.2m.
“However, the landlady of a house on Afolabi Brown Street said she was not interested and would continue to use the old transformer. So, we contributed the money, paid PHCN and we were connected to the new transformer.”
He said the landlady however on a particular day called officials of the PHCN to connect her to the new transformer.
An altercation ensued when the officials got to the area on that day and some of the youths insisted that the lady’s house must not be connected to the new transformer.
Mustapha said, “On Sunday, we learnt that she (Nwaneri) called an electrician to connect her house to the new transformer. We promptly resisted this.
“Again, on Tuesday, she got PHCN officials to come and connect her house to the transformer. We also resisted as we insisted that she must pay the levy.
“The PHCN officials ignored us and in the process, some youths challenged them and policemen were called to intervene.”
PUNCH Metro learnt that after the altercation, the entire neighbourhood was thrown into darkness for hours as PHCN stopped electric supply to the area.
Mustapha said, “The matter was taken to Bariga Police Division and the police said since the transformer in question had been connected to the national power grid, it had become the property of PHCN and PHCN has the right to connect anybody.
“We (residents) are aggrieved and feel cheated because we paid PHCN N1.2m to install the transformer even though it should have been free. The landlady, who did not contribute has no right to benefit from it.
“So if the police said the PHCN should have its way, we agree, but we are therefore demanding a refund of the N1.2m.”
When our correspondent spoke with Nwaneri, she said she had every right to be connected to the new transformer. She claimed she was not aware that money was contributed for the transformer’s installation.
Nwaneri said PHCN had given her the right to use the transformer.
She said, “I was using the old transformer but when it became faulty, I reported to the PHCN and its officilas told me that I could connect to the new transformer since I live in the same neighbourhood. I decided to connect and now other residents are on my neck. Doesn’t the transformer belong to the PHCN?
“Besides, no one ever came to inform me about any contribution when the transformer was being installed. Youths in this area have been extorting me even before I moved in here. When I was building the house, they collected all kinds of money from me and they keep cheating me. So, when they started asking me for N25,000 for installation, I thought it was the usual extortion.”
The spokesperson, PHCN, Bariga, Mr. Ejiogwu Onuoha, said he would investigate the matter.
Onuoha said PHCN never demanded money from members of the public, adding that the residents’ association were in the habit of collecting money from their members under the pretext of transformer installation.
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