By: Ken ugwu
In an earnest dialogue addressing the pressing issue of electricity supply, residents of satellite and suburban areas in the Federal Capital Territory shared their lived experiences and apprehensions.
With housing and daily life intricately intertwined with reliable power, their voices resonate with the frustrations of enduring an unreliable infrastructure.
Numerous residents, in conversations with our reporter, lamented the recurrent power outages and the skyrocketing utility bills, amplifying the community’s outcry over the inadequacies of the power grid in the Capital Territory.
Mr. Osinachi Victor, a resident of Apo Resettlement, articulated his dismay at the frequency of power disruptions, emphasizing the indispensable role of electricity in their daily activities. “Electricity is so critical and incredibly disruptive. We rely on electricity to carry out our day-to-day operations. We pay 80 thousand naira every month, and we share it among persons,” he disclosed.
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Deborah, a resilient small business owner residing in Jiwa, shed light on the economic repercussions of power instability, stressing the urgent need for government intervention. “Heat is unbearable, and there is no electricity for domestic or business use. The government needs to step in. The Rich and the politicians are shielded from these challenges with solar power installations in their homes,” she asserted.
Echoing the collective sentiment, Baba Ahmed Yusuf, a respected community leader, underscored the imperative for immediate governmental action. “We have voiced our concerns repeatedly, yet tangible action remains elusive. It is high time for the current administration to prioritize electricity infrastructure,” he urged passionately. On a personal note, Baba Ahmed revealed the distressing ordeal of facing punitive measures from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), which persistently confiscates electric cables he personally installed.
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As residents continue to grapple with the ramifications of erratic electricity supply, their impassioned pleas highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions and governmental accountability in mitigating this pervasive issue affecting the lives of countless individuals in the Federal Capital Territory.