By Adeyinka Adeniran
Residents of Apata Community in Ibadan South West Local Government of Oyo State have expressed gratitude to Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) and some other party leaders over the restoration of electricity in the community.
This is contained in a statement signed by Senator Alli’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Akeem Abas and made available to newsmen on Monday.
More than six months back, residents of Apata Community had been enduring hardship and discomfort due to the lack of electricity.
They are currently rejoicing as the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has successfully repaired the spoilt transformer that left the community in darkness for over six months.
However, thanks to the intervention of Senator Sarafadeen Ali, who generously donated the sum of N500,000, the repair of the transformer became possible.
The philanthropical act of Senator Alli has not only brought light back to the community, but instilled hope and renewed faith in the ability of public officials to address the needs of the people.
The restored access to electricity has brought immense joy and relief to the entire Apata Community.
Mr Semiu Irorunnitemi, the Chairman, Apata Landlord and Landladies’ Association, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the lawmaker for his timely intervention.
He said that the senator gave them substantial amount which helped in repairing their transformer and restoring back electricity to the community.
“Our community has been in darkness for more than six months now after our transformer got burnt. We were linked to the Senator who gave us substantial amount as intervention.
“Today, we have been able to repair the transformer. The IBEDC officials are here to install the transformer and restore back electricity to our community.
“Our people are really happy and extend their gratitude to Sen. Sharafadeen Alli for the prompt intervention. We appreciate him a lot,” he said.
The chairman said that that without Alli’s financial assistance, the repair of the transformer might have been delayed indefinitely
Mr Olakunle Ogunfemi, the APC Chairman of Ward 12, Apata in Ibadan South-West Local Government, thanked the senator for the support.
Ogunfemi appreciated the senator and APC for their contributions towards the restoration of electricity in the community.
“When we held a town hall meeting here during the electioneering, the Chairman of the landlord association spoke on behalf of the community. They supported us during the election.
“When the transformer got burnt, I took executives to Senator Sharafadeen Alli who later intervened with the donation of N500,000 to repair the transformer.
“This was after they have gone to the PDP lawmaker, Rep. Stanley Olajide, who is representing Ibadan South-West/North-West Federal Constituency. He turned them down on the grounds that they didn’t vote him in the community,” he said.
He thanked Senator Alli for being responsive to their plight and ensuring that the community’s needs were met.
“This unwavering support has reinforced the belief of the residents in the party’s commitment to improving the lives of the people and tackling infrastructure challenges,” he said.
Ogunfemi said that the success of the restoration project was made possible through the collective efforts of several key individuals in the community.
He thanked some party chieftains and all those who contributed to making the restoration project a success.
Among some individuals who played significant roles in mobilizing resources and rallying support are APC Chieftain, Chief Wale Ohu as well as Architect Joseph Omoniyi, the APC Chairman in the Local Government..
Others are Hon. Kehinde Subair, a former Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Prince Niyi Oshokoya and Elder Adekunle Salisu.
The recent restoration of electricity to Apata Community is a testament to the power of collective action and the impact that dedicated public officials as well as leaders can have on the lives of the people they serve.
The community looks forward to a brighter future and hopes that similar interventions will continue to address their pressing needs.
