Two-month power blackout, yet residents complain authorities not listening to them
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Fortunate Lagosians are currently reeling under loadshedding (staccato power cuts) with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) promising that the fault on the Omotoso-Ikeja West grid will be fixed within days to restore the usual level of electricity supply, which is never stable.
Lagos residents are rather privileged in that wise, despite the disruption and discomfort.
Another blackout up North East in Bauchi has gone on for two straight months, and it is far worse, yet residents complain that nobody is listening to their groans or explaining anything to them.
Since January, residents of Rafin Zurfi and Gwallameji in Bauchi metropolis have been plunged into darkness that has crippled businesses, disrupted students’ academic activities, and intensified unbearable heat.
There is no sign of relief from the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED), prompting the residents to call for urgent government intervention – from the state government or from a tone-deaf Abuja, where officials are too busy enjoying themselves with stolen public funds to care for the masses.
Bauchi small business owners see the prolonged blackout as nothing short of economic sabotage.
“I rely on my machine for survival. Without electricity, I have no source of income,” lamented Hussaini Hassan, a grinding machine operator.
A woman who identified herself simply as Hannatu said she had to take her maize outside the community for grinding after waiting weeks without power restoration.
Beverage shop owner Opeyemi Philip narrated how is forced to buy ice blocks daily to keep drinks cold, adding extra costs to his struggling business.
Residents said no action has been taken despite multiple complaints and written appeals to JED, per The Nation.
One, who did not want to be named, accused the government of neglect, saying, “We voted for this administration, but now we are left to suffer in darkness while our businesses collapse.”
The Rafin Zurfi Community Youth Forum has intensified calls for intervention, urging both the Bauchi State government and Bauch Council Chairman Mahmoud Babamaji to take immediate action before the situation gets worse.
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