Residents of Ologo, Coal Camp, and Uwani in the Enugu metropolis are grappling with a power outage that has persisted for over a week, disrupting businesses, homes, and livelihoods.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, many appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to urgently wade into the matter and restore electricity.
The blackout, according to MainPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, was linked to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.
In a statement on August 4, MPECL blamed the crisis on the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (EERC) decision to reduce Band A electricity tariff from N209 per kWh to N160 per kWh.
Since the directive took effect on August 1, consumers in Bands B to E have reportedly been plunged into darkness, slowing economic activity in parts of the city.
For residents, the impact has been severe. At a mechanic workshop in Coal Camp, welder Obum Chijioke said the fuel cost for powering his equipment has consumed most of his earnings.
“It has not been easy in the past week. We spend the little we make on fuel and still go home empty-handed,” he lamented, urging authorities to urgently intervene.
A cleric on Zik Avenue, who preferred anonymity, revealed that his church now spends between N25,000 and N30,000 daily on diesel to run its services and activities. “It is taking a huge toll on us,” he said.
Small business owners are also bearing the brunt. Mrs. Chika Alejim, a retail shop operator, said she could no longer chill drinks or sachet water for sale.
“I buy N20,000 worth of fuel daily, N10,000 in the morning and another N10,000 at night. My profits are disappearing. Ice fish and meat I sell alongside groceries have spoiled due to the outage,” she explained.
For Mr. Charles Ako, who runs a business centre, the blackout has forced him to suspend computer training classes.
“I only do printing or photocopying when a customer shows up. This situation is unbearable,” he said.
Households are also struggling. Mrs. Ukamaka Ugwu said she now cooks in smaller portions to avoid food spoilage, increasing her family’s expenses.
“We can’t charge our phones or see clearly at night. Government should step in; this is getting out of hand,” she pleaded.
The EERC, in a statement on August 10, said it had met with both EEDC and MainPower and assured that efforts were underway to restore electricity to affected areas.