Enimere Àkànbí
Leadership and Residents of Femitoluwa Oke-Odo Alapata Residents Association in Egbeda Local Government Area, Oyo State, have put an hold to illegal disconnection of members’ electric cables.
The suspension came as a resolution reached at the Association Headquarters’ Meeting held on Sunday 17th November, 2024, exactly a week after disagreement brewed in the area over illegal disconnection of some residents’ electric cables, which included a respected journalist’s rented apartment, whose parents were earliest landlords in the area.
The contribution for an additional electric transformer in the area began over six years ago which has resulted to levying #13,000 on each household, until recently aggregated to #20,000, which the respected journalist in the area said was only informed a day earlier before disconnection, despite his landlord had paid agreed #13,000, over five years earlier.
The residents’ Association Chairman, Mr Bashiru Badiru Badmus while addressing the respected journalist’s family and relatives, said he had made a thorough investigation into the disagreement, describing it “an administrative error and ginger for transparency, accountability and openness”.
Mr Badmus added that the ‘illegal’ disconnection was to enable reasonable realization of funds from residents who consistently clamour for an additional electric transformer, while the functional one in the area is believed to serving too many residents and never to exploit as allegedly reported.
The Civil Servant cum Femitoluwa Oke-Odo Alapata leader, assured that his administration would reconnect every allegedly disconnected resident with immediate effect, realizing such a decision is truly unconstitutional.
“We cannot continue to threaten legal action against ourselves as members. Unity, focus and co-operation remain key to more togetherness, and living as members. Whichever way, there is a need for us to leave behind us the past. ”
Reacting, the aggrieved residents and respected journalists’ relatives when accepting truce, appreciated the prompt intervention of the leadership of the area, assuring of continued support, love and commitment to the progress and development of the area.
Meanwhile, the respected journalist, who insisted failure of fair hearing eventuated the disagreement, met with Mr. Badiru Badmus, Mr. Seyi Adeyemo, who led the alleged illegal disconnection of his household, apologized as directed, vowed continued total support going forward.
He urged lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal constituency, Honourable Akin Alabi, who had pledged distribution of an electric transformer to the area in 2019 and 2023 respectively to as a matter of urgency accede to the community’s request as to enjoy his legislative dividends.
Olawale Ogunbusola
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