Incoming Government Should Put An End To Epileptic Power Supply, Say Artisans

The problem associated with epileptic power supply in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom state in particular is like the popular saying that, ‘if water remains in your mouth for too long it would turn to saliva’. So, the unabated nature of poor power supply across Nigeria is an issue that has become a menace.

Most respondents, who spoke with The Guardian, observed that government over time has told and keep telling the nation that billions of naira was sunk into the sector, but there is yet to be any meaningful result.

According to them, the power situation in Akwa Ibom cannot be said to be different from what most states in the country are experiencing, except that most areas within the metropolis like Ifa Ikot Okpon, Iboko, Akpan Essien, Attan Offot, Afaha Offot, and Urua Ekpa among other areas, do sometimes stay for up to three weeks or months without power supply.

For Umo Ekarika, a resident of Iboko Street in Uyo, what is most annoying is the fact that, even where you do not see light, officials of the Port Harcourt Power Distribution Company will still come to give exorbitant bills. This most respondent affirmed.

It is a pathetic story for residents of Ikpa, Itu roads, as lack of power in he area is worst. Most residents have not seen power in last few weeks.

Many said what is surprising is that the rural areas enjoys constant power supply. A welder, along Abak road who pleaded anonymity, said that for more than a year now, he has not use electricity to execute his job; instead, he uses generating plant.

“Although it is expensive using the generating plant to do my job, at least one is sure of satisfying his customer,” he said. Corroborating the welder’s claim, a barbing saloon operator, Cardinal Barbing saloon, located along Nkemba Street said, “I prefer to use my generator even when there is power supply because of the epileptic nature of the light.

“It is costly to break even with the way we are operating now, that is why our association is calling on the incoming government to make power supply their priority,” he said.

For most artisans that use heavy equipment especially the welders, it has been a harrowing experience so far. According to them, diesel they used in generating their plant cost more than the PMS (petrol), thereby eating deep into their daily income and expected profit.

They called on the incoming government to give more priority to power sector and ensure that there is improvement so that small-scale entrepreneurs would be able to make ends meet.