- NYCN Epe hosts youth dialogue on electricity crisis
- Stakeholders identify vandalization and poor infrastructure as key issues
- Calls for urgent restoration and long-term solutions
The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Epe Local Branch, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, convened a Youth Dialogue on Electricity in Epe, bringing together key stakeholders, government officials, and community representatives to address the prolonged power outage affecting Epe.
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Eko Hot Blog reports that the engagement served as a critical platform for discussions on the challenges hindering electricity restoration and the way forward, with participants emphasizing the need for both immediate relief and sustainable long-term solutions.
In his presentation, Comrade Kazeem Olayinka highlighted that efforts to restore power supply have been ongoing since December but have faced setbacks due to infrastructural limitations, security challenges, and insufficient commitment from some stakeholders.
“Despite several engagements and communications with relevant authorities, progress has been slow due to operational constraints and lack of full cooperation,” he stated.
He raised concerns about the role of electricity providers, particularly Ikeja Electric, noting that certain agreements, especially those involving local participation in securing infrastructure, were not fully implemented.
Delivering the keynote address, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, identified vandalization, poor distribution infrastructure, and revenue recovery challenges as the major causes of the prolonged outage.
“Vandalization has continued to set us back significantly, with each incident costing huge sums to repair. Without addressing this, restoration efforts will remain unsustainable,” he said.
The Commissioner further disclosed plans to transition to a 132KVA power system as a long-term solution, while also noting efforts to provide interim electricity supply ahead of the Ileya festival. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and community support in safeguarding infrastructure.
Also speaking, Hon. Abiodun Tobun member representing Epe constituency I at the Lagos state house of Assembly commended the initiative of the youth council and stressed the need for collective responsibility in protecting public assets.
“Protecting electricity infrastructure is a shared responsibility. We must all work together to ensure that these facilities are preserved,” he said.
He also called for urgent intervention to restore power supply while long-term projects such as the 132KVA upgrade and the Omotosho Power Project are being pursued.
The interactive session featured robust contributions from stakeholders, with suggestions including temporary reconnection strategies, improved security measures, and stronger enforcement against vandalism. Participants also emphasized the need to fast-track long-delayed projects and ensure accountability among relevant authorities.
At the end of the dialogue, stakeholders resolved to pursue immediate restoration efforts, consider temporary solutions such as the 33KVA line, and intensify advocacy for long-term infrastructure development. They also called for continuous engagement among stakeholders and stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, security agencies, and community leaders.
The dialogue underscored the urgency of addressing the electricity crisis in Epe, with participants agreeing that sustainable solutions will require commitment, coordination, and active community involvement.
