Some electricity consumers in FCT have appealed to the Federal Government for quick intervention to rectify erratic power supply experienced in recent months.
The consumers residing in Lugbe, Kuje, Area10, Central Area said in Abuja on Thursday that poor power supply had affected their sources of income and affecting their health.
Miss Esohe Omohe a Fashion Designer residing in Lugbe, said that in the last two months, power situation had worsened as this has affected her business.
Omohe said that the worst part of it was that no fuel to power generator, adding that filling stations are refusing to sell in jerry cans.
“There is no light, no fuel, the situation is terrible and we are appealing to the Federal Government for quick intervention before people die of hunger,”she said.
Another resident of Lugbe, Mrs Uche Okoro, Ice block maker, said that the light situation “is bad and worrisome’’.
Okoro said that electricity was not regular as were in the past, saying that for over two month there had been epileptic power supply.
According to her, the little business I am doing to assist my family is no longer thriving as most nights there is no light to power the freezers.
“ I am appealing to the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and the Federal Government to do something urgently about this so we can get some respite,’’ she said.
In Jedo Estate on Airport Road, a welder, Innocent Okpara, said lack of stable electricity supply in the area had continued to affect his work, saying that he now depends only on generator to do his job.
He said that electricity situation in the area had worsened in the last two months and this had adversely affected his income.
“As you can see, these doors and windows I am making are for my customers, if there is steady power supply, I will be able to deliver and earn some income.
“Even when there is light, it hardly stays up to two hours and we understand there is load shedding currently on going.
“We are appealing to the AEDC to give us light at night even if it is for four hours, as we have not slept with light for more than three weeks,’’ he said.
Mr Joseph Okiri, a dry cleaner also resident in Jedo estate said poor electricity supply had affected his business terribly.
Okiri appealed to the government and management of AEDC to urgently address electricity situation in the area by ensuring that economic activities is given a boost.
Mr Jude Omokhua, a barbing saloon owner in Kuje said lack of stable electricity supply had always been his major challenge.
Omokhua said that the most annoying thing was that no fuel to power his generator, AEDC officials still brought electricity bills that must be settled.,
He therefore, called on the management of the AEDC to address the problem of electricity supply in the area.
Mr Shola Balogun, a printer at UTC Shopping Mall at Area 10 also complained of poor electricity supply in the area, saying the absence of electricity had been affecting businesses and activities in the area.
Balogun said’’ I do a lot of printing now no electricity to work , no fuel to power the generator, I am appealing to government to come to our aid as we are really suffering.
Recently Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu at a ministerial briefing had said that the erratic power supply being experienced nationwide was caused by low water level in the hydro power stations.
“With the reduction in water levels at the hydro power stations during the dry season, there is need for additional load to be taken up by gas plants.
“ And the challenges in repairs currently being done on generators are responsible for the load shedding and power outages,’’ he said.
According to him, government is doing everything to ensure optimum supply of gas to ensure quick restoration of power.
The minister, who spoke on various power initiatives by the ministry, including the Presidential Power Initiative being driven by Siemens, maintained that the issue of right of way was stalling power projects.
“We are engaging with state governors through the Nigerian Governors Forum to drive a holistic solution to these lingering issues,” he said.
According to Aliyu, the attention the power sector is receiving under the Buhari administration is unprecedented.
“Since the inception of the present government, it has turned its attention to our infrastructure and the attention this government is giving in my own view, is unprecedented.
“The enormity of the decay in the sector is what we are battling with to ensure we overcome challenges associated with electricity delivery in the country,’’ he said.
