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Residents appeal to FCT authority over power supply and water scarcity, Karu

By NAN
05 February 2016   |   4:24 pm
Residents of Karu Village in Abuja Municipal Area Council, have appealed to the FCT authorities to help solve the problem of water scarcity and epileptic power supply affecting the area. Some of the residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said that the scarcity of potable water and…
Electricity poles in the community

Electricity poles in the community

Residents of Karu Village in Abuja Municipal Area Council, have appealed to the FCT authorities to help solve the problem of water scarcity and epileptic power supply affecting the area.

Some of the residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said that the scarcity of potable water and unstable power supply was impacting negatively on their well-being.

A respondent, Mr Austin Ugwu, told NAN that the amount of money he spent daily to fuel his generating set and buy water add up to a handsome amount at the end of the month.

“The major problem we have in this area is that we don’t have water; no sufficient light (electricity). Sometimes we see light one day, the next three days no light.

“So, this is affecting our business. We are not making impact at all because of all these social amenities that we are not getting.

“Every day, I spend an average of N400 to buy fuel for my generating set. We spend a lot of money buying water from vendors. If you calculate this in a month, it amounts to big money.’’

Mr Thomas Mamza observed that the provision of basic amenities such as potable water and stable electricity would help to boost the standard of living of citizens.

Mamza, while appealing for the intervention of government in the provision of the amenities, pledged that the residents would take ownership when provided, by protecting them from vandals.

“ If not for these water vendors, we would not be able to get water for use.

“We have light only a few hours in a day but most times, the area is in blackout.

“Electricity and water supply are essential to the well-being of the people; without electricity and water, life becomes very difficult.

“If government can give us these essential amenities, we would appreciate it. If there is a water pump (tap) on this street, we (residents) can watch over it to protect it from vandals.

Also speaking, Amarachi Lazarus complained that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company billed them far and above their consumption, level in spite of the lack of regular power supply.

She said that the high tariff residents paid for some of the essential services,was a significant drain on their meagre finances.

“The problem that we are facing here is lack of steady electricity supply. Once they take the light now, you we won’t see it again until about two days later.

“But they charge us huge bills similar to those paid by factories and cottage industries. When you look at the bill, you begin to wonder how you consumed such huge bills.

“I use only a television set and video player in my apartment; but the last bill they brought to us was about N72, 000 and past payments are never reflected in the bill.

“By the time we add up this high electricity bill to other expenses like water and refuse disposal, you find out that we are left with very little to take care of our children,’’ she said.

The residents urged the new FCT administration to spread amenities to Karu village and other suburbs in order to alleviate their suffering and give them a new lease of life and a sense of belonging.

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