The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Katsina State (CCSO) has called for immediate action to address the prolonged power outage that has affected millions of Nigerians, especially in the northern part of the country.

The chairman of the group, Comrade AbdurRahman Abdullahi, who made this known in a statement, said the absence of electricity for the past eight days has negatively affected businesses that depend on the availability of power.

Abdullahi lamented that despite the magnitude of the crisis, there has been little communication from the authorities about when to expect a resolution, adding that those in positions of power appear indifferent to the matter.

He said the coalition wants relevant authorities to prioritise the crisis with the seriousness it warrants, as a coordinated, expedited response is essential to bring relief to affected communities.

“The Coalition of CSOs Katsina expresses deep concern over the prolonged power outage affecting several states in Northern Nigeria, including Katsina State.

“This extended outage, resulting from the recent collapse of the national grid, has inflicted severe hardships on millions, impacting lives, businesses, and essential services.

“Electricity is a lifeline, and its absence has brought a range of dire consequences. Access to electricity-driven healthcare services has been compromised, leading to a tragic loss of lives daily.

“Many businesses, dependent on a stable power supply, have been forced to close, resulting in economic setbacks and loss of livelihoods.

“In the past eight days of this power outage, we have witnessed the mounting toll on our communities, with the negative impacts continuing to escalate.

“It is disheartening to observe that, despite the magnitude of the crisis, there has been little communication from the authorities about when to expect a resolution.

“Those in positions of power appear indifferent, seemingly insulated by access to private generators and solar systems at their residences and workplaces.

“This disparity only intensifies the frustration felt by ordinary citizens who bear the brunt of this crisis.”

The CSOs called on the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to provide regular updates on the progress of repairs and to take immediate steps to restore power supply. They stressed the need for transparency and accountability from TCN.
The coalition’s statement underscores the urgent need for a swift and effective response to this crisis, which has had a significant negative impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians.

He said, “As a key national institution with significant financial and material resources, TCN has a duty to swiftly resolve this issue and to keep the affected regions informed.

“The current state of prolonged silence and inaction is both unjustifiable and unacceptable.

“The Coalition, therefore, calls upon the relevant authorities to prioritise this crisis with the seriousness it warrants.

“A coordinated, expedited response is essential to bring relief to affected communities.

“Additionally, we urge TCN to take responsibility and commit to providing Nigerians with daily progress updates until this situation is fully resolved.

“In the interest of transparency and accountability, we demand an immediate and sustained response to alleviate the suffering caused by this ongoing power outage.”