Itapaji-Ekiti power outage crisis deepens as monarch laments 16-year blackout, poor infrastructure, and lack of government response in Ekiti State

The traditional ruler of Itapaji-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Karim Azeez Adebanjo, has decried the prolonged absence of public electricity in the rural community, describing the situation as a worsening  that has lasted for 16 years.

Also read: Abuja’s water crisis is not coming. It is already here

The monarch made the remarks during an interview, where he detailed the community’s struggle with collapsed infrastructure, limited public services, and repeated unfulfilled government promises despite multiple appeals to authorities.

Oba Adebanjo said Itapaji-Ekiti once enjoyed functional public utilities, including water supply and electricity, but lamented that years of neglect have reversed earlier progress in the community.

He recalled that electricity supply first reached the town in 1995, but infrastructure damage caused by heavy rainfall eventually led to a total collapse of the system, which has remained unresolved since 2010.

According to him, a recent attempt by the state government to revive the power infrastructure ended without impact, as the community reportedly did not receive actual electricity supply despite a commissioning exercise.

The monarch expressed frustration over repeated petitions sent to government authorities, stating that the community has continued to receive assurances without tangible action on the ground.

Residents, he said, have been forced to rely on alternative energy sources such as solar power and generators to meet basic electricity needs, placing additional financial strain on households.

Oba Adebanjo also highlighted challenges in the education sector, noting that the town’s main primary school suffers from severe teacher shortages, with only five teachers catering for all classes.

He described the situation as inadequate and unsustainable, warning that it could undermine the quality of education for children in the community if not urgently addressed.

Despite the challenges, the monarch noted that Itapaji-Ekiti has remained largely peaceful and free from the insecurity affecting some neighbouring communities in the region.

He also praised the strong interfaith harmony in the town, where Christians and Muslims reportedly participate in each other’s religious celebrations and maintain close social ties.

Oba Adebanjo said this unity remains one of the community’s strongest assets, reflecting deep cultural cohesion despite persistent infrastructural hardship.

He further acknowledged past interventions, including road construction linking the town to the Kwara State boundary during a previous administration, as well as regular payment of civil servants’ salaries.

However, he maintained that the lack of electricity and basic amenities continues to overshadow these gains, calling attention to what he described as long-standing neglect.

Also read: Jos Killings: Between President Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang…

The Power Outage Crisis remains a central concern for residents, who continue to appeal for urgent government intervention to restore basic infrastructure and improve living conditions in the rural settlement.