Operators of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos’ large business complex – the Sura Business Complex, have reportedly ditched the operator of the electricity distribution network which supplies them electricity – the Eko Discos – for an alternative expected from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA)
Local news outlet – Vanguard – reported at the weekend that the SME told Eko Disco they no longer want to patronize them, and would instead prefer to be served power from the new mini grid plant being built by the REA under its Energizing Economy Program (EPP).
According to the report, the SMEs came together on the platform of the Association of Shop Owners in Sura Business Complex, Lagos Island, to express their desire to opt out of the service of Eko Disco.
They in protest of erratic electricity supply to the complex, said they were tired of poor electricity supply and crazy bills forced on them by the Disco, and were led by their Chairman, Mrs. Bunmi Ajayi, in this regards.
According to them, poor electricity supply has reduced the number of shops at the complex from 1047 to 500, which even use private-owned generators to power their businesses.
“We are small business people and electricity is crucial to our businesses . Initially, we had about 1047 shops in Sura Business Complex but due to poor power supply, it has been reduced to 500 shops which runs on generators daily thereby exposing the traders and customers to serious environmental and health hazards,” said the SME operators.
They noted their resolve to switch service providers was because they wanted to stay in business and not go under.
The business people equally had placards that had messages such as ‘EKEDC is from public monopoly to private monopoly’, ‘Sura Association says No to EKEDC,’ ‘We want IPP,’ ‘Stop EKEDC exploitation, IPP rescue us,’ ‘Regular power supply is an illusion under EKEDC’, ‘We are tired of an epileptic power supply,” among others, at their protest.
In response, the Chief Executive Officer, Eko Disco, Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi, received a protest letter from them, and promised to look into their grouse.
Fadeyibi, equally asked that they be rightly informed before taking such decisions.
