Power supply: Abuja consumers decry blackouts, metering constraints

Electricity consumers in the nation’s capital of Abuja and parts of Nasarawa State have decried the incessant power outage experienced in the areas.

In a survey on the state of electricity supply in Abuja, some of the electricity consumers who spoke with Daily Trust during the weekend complained of the power situation, saying it has deteriorated since March.

Gabriel who is a resident in Apo District of the Federal Capital lamented the protracted blackout in his residence and his inability to recharge his prepaid meters.

He said: “We have not been having light and even my attempts to recharge my prepaid meter from the Vending Office of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) business unit has proved futile.”

Electricity consumers in Kuje Area Council, and Kubwa area of the FCT equally expressed their dismay with the power situation.

Mrs Farida Abubakar, a stylist in Kuje said her business was suffering, adding that she now relied on the use of her generator.

“I can’t make a moderate percentage of what I used to before especially since March as electricity supply in my area has declined,” she added.

“Although we do have light, it is not as often as before and it is telling on us, yet we pay for light based on the estimated billing method,” Mr Jacob Omenka, who resides in Kubwa said.

The situation is not different in some parts of Nasarawa State neighbouring Abuja.

Mr Vincent Oyiji of Aso Mararraba said power supply was nothing to write home about.

“We are now back to the pre-privatisation era where the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) held us to ransom,” Oyiji noted.

And in Masaka, in Nasarawa State, Anthony Sunday said load shedding was now the order of the day.