Say they still depend on generators, solar
By Attah Anthony, Jalingo; Richard Ndoma, Calabar; Francis Okoye, Maiduguri; Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja; Aza Msue, Makurdi; Emmanuel Mgbeahurike, Owerri; Abu Nmodu, Minna; Alo Abiola, Ado-Ekiti; Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, Owerri; Felix Igbekoyi, Asaba; Damilola Origbemisuyi, Akure; Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin; Kabir Wurma, Birnin Kebbi
Nigerians across several states have disputed recent claims by the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, that electricity supply has improved so significantly that some Nigerians are asking him to slow down power reforms because their freezers are overworking.
Findings by LEADERSHIP Sunday correspondents across the country show that electricity supply remains uneven. While some communities now receive between 18 and 22 hours of electricity daily, others continue to endure prolonged outages, with some areas getting only a few hours a day or remaining without public electricity for months or even years.
TARABA: Residents Reject Claim of Excess Electricity
Residents of Taraba State have rejected the minister’s claim, insisting that many communities still endure prolonged power outages.
In Jalingo, some areas connected to Band A feeders experience relatively regular electricity supply, including FGGC, Lassandi, GRA, Area Command, Airstrip, Shavon, and Mile Six. Residents of Ussa, Donga, Takum and parts of Wukari also reported a relatively stable supply.
However, findings showed that electricity supply remains poor in many other communities. Of the state’s 16 local government areas and two special development areas, only a limited number of communities were found to enjoy more than 20 hours of electricity daily.
A resident of Mayo-Gwoi in Jalingo, Mrs Josephine Maiso, dismissed the minister’s claim.
“This is not true. I don’t think there is even a 20% electricity supply in this country because we are suffering. In my area, we get at least two hours of electricity, sometimes three hours,” she said.
Another resident, Masuma Ubangida, similarly said her area receives electricity for about two to three hours daily, with occasional periods when residents wait an entire day for the supply to be restored.
“The electricity is not enough for us. Maybe their electricity supply is good where they live, but in our area, we are suffering,” she said.
Similarly, Jalingo-based businesswoman, Mrs Zulie Ibrahim, described the minister’s comment as “the joke of the century,” saying she depends mainly on solar power to operate her deep freezers and preserve drinks because of unreliable public electricity supply.
CROSS RIVER: Communities Groan Under Prolonged Blackout
Residents of Bokomo Community, Four Corners, in Ikom Local Government Area, said they have experienced total blackout since the beginning of the year.
Mrs Stella Edim said the prolonged outage had forced residents to turn to solar energy.
“Not that we don’t have electricity poles, the poles and cables are here. We don’t know what is wrong with the officials at the power holding company, so we haven’t had electricity since the beginning of this year. We have suffered a total blackout,” she lamented.
Mr John Eklegbor, a resident of Akparabong community in Ikom LGA, said his community had been without electricity for three years and called on the authorities to intervene.
