The continuous power outages in popular Coca-Cola Depot area of Phase 2 Site 1, Kubwa in Bwari Area Council, Abuja has made residents to cry out.
Residents on Monday lamented that they were plunged into darkness a week ago for a reason yet unknown.
When newsmen visited the area, it was observed that some economic activities in the area are beginning to fold up following the outage.
The residents opined that they have not been able to continue with their various businesses since the power was interrupted last Tuesday.
Some said the situation has destroyed perishables and paralyzed their businesses while others said the electricity challenge in the area has lingered for years without interventions from the AEDC responsible for power supply in the FCT.
A resident, Prosper Ejima, who owns a laundry services shop, said, “This past week has been a very difficult week for me. I have been running generators to keep my business moving and it’s already affecting me negatively.”
Similarly, Mrs Farida Johnson, said no one can convince her that she had been receiving value for what she pays monthly for electricity.
She said, “This light issue has lingered for years, most times people using our transformer don’t have light because of one issue or the other. Some years back AEDC shared those small step down transformers but we were given. This transformer we are managing has been here for more than 23 years and it’s faulty.
“You can’t even convince me that I have not been cheated for all the service charges I pay monthly for electricity. For one week we haven’t had light, we have been treated unfairly. As I speak to you there is no hope that the issue will be fixed, I have reached out to AEDC but all I get are empty promises. The situation is pathetic.”
Ezekiel Kezia, a banker and father of four, also expressed concern about the situation.
According to him, “It has been tough trying to manage the situation, especially with kids on holiday. The weather isn’t so conducive for them and they find it difficult to sleep at night. One week without power is terrible, we have contacted AEDC but they keep giving unreasonable excuses. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid.”
One Mr Idy John said, “These people do not care about their customers. The situation is disappointing. Even as energy prices soar we should be able to enjoy the services we pay for. We are being charged for these services and when we call them they dish out lies that they are fixing the issue.
“How long can one continue to use generators for businesses and our daily lives, how about perishable food in our houses. Have they no conscience?”
Another resident, Prophet Samuel said, “I am indeed surprised by this barbaric Act going on for the past 6/7 days in Kubwa, Abuja. No power supply for the past one week and yet nothing has been said or done. My feeling is that of disappointment right now.
“If DisCos can go from house to house to disconnect people’s light then they should go house to house to fix electricity problems. It’s terrible to stay at home without a power supply. We have to stock up the house with food items, beers and so on but now, the food items we got are going bad. The same thing with the food we already prepared.
“The heat has been very bad. We have not been sleeping well at night. How long do we keep buying fuel? When this issue can be brought to book. We need a fast response from AEDC bikonu.”
When newsmen contacted the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, via a chat on its official Twitter handle, the company kept mum on the cause of the power outage but promised that the situation was getting adequate attention.
It also maintained silence on when power would be restored or the level of progress in repair works.
The response reads, “We sincerely regret the prolonged outage affecting the area. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the repairs, restoration is taking longer than anticipated.
“We are following up closely to ensure resolution at the earliest possible time. All inconveniences are regretted.”