Epe residents, fish traders cry out over persistent blackout
Epe (Lagos), May 2026 (TBL) Epe residents and fish traders on Friday lamented a persistent power outage that has paralysed business activities, urging authorities to intervene.
The affected groups at Ayetoro market spoke on the weeks-long blackout in the community.
A community leader, Mr Babajide Thomas, described the electricity situation as worrisome, with no immediate solution in sight.
Thomas said public frustration was growing daily as the darkness persisted.
”Only those who can afford expensive petrol for generators have electricity. Others suffer in darkness and intense heat, which disrupts sleep,” Thomas said.
He added that the harsh weather was causing skin rashes and other environmental ailments among adults and children.
Thomas urged authorities to rescue the community to prevent further hardship and potential disease outbreaks.
A fish seller at Ayetoro market, Mrs Tade Adepimpe-Jinadu, said traders were recording huge losses due to decomposed fish stocks.
Adepimpe-Jinadu noted that the crisis forced sellers to buy less fish from fishermen due to lack of cold storage, causing artificial scarcity.
”We cannot store fish in refrigerators for the next day. Most times, we sell at a loss just to clear stocks,” she said.
She added that customers travelled from other areas for fresh fish, making storage vital for meeting market demands and making profits.
”Smoking the fish is also difficult and expensive, as it requires specialised equipment and energy,” the trader said.
She stated that local fishermen were equally affected, as they relied on market women to buy their daily catch.
A student leader at Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Epe, Mr Johnson Adewale, urged consumers to directly confront electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
The student activist regretted that the blackout forced students to study under unconducive conditions, urging a swift resolution.
Adewale said directing public anger at community leaders over the power failure was not helpful.
“Why can’t consumers confront the companies that fail to deliver services but collect monthly bills,” Adewale asked.
He criticised residents for blaming traditional rulers, legislators, or local government chairmen for the blackout.
“When connecting electricity or paying bills, consumers go to the DisCo office, not to an Oba or politician,” he said.
Adewale urged residents to hold the service providers accountable instead of engaging in misplaced aggression.
“The DisCos are not under the control of local leaders,” the student leader added.
