As Nigerians celebrate 66 years of independence, residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended the considerable improvement in electricity supply to their communities.
The residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Lugbe, Kubwa, Dei-Dei, Mararaba, Lokogoma, Dutse and Apo, however called for further improvement to boost the economy of the FCT.
They spoke in separate interviews on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Lateef Akande, a resident of Dutse, said that electricity supply was not stable in his area “but it is available for some hours daily”.
“We receive electricity most times, although the supply is sometimes interrupted. It is not stable, but it comes every day,” he said.
Akande called for improved stability and longer hours of supply to enable households and businesses to plan their activities more effectively.
He said a more reliable power supply would help reduce dependence on alternative sources of electricity and ease the cost of running businesses and households.
Mrs Rosa Attah, a resident of Abacha road in Mararaba, said power supply was stable “except when there are issues resulting from vandalism of transformers or theft of cables”.
She said some households were predominantly on Band A, with its attendant high cost.
Mr Fred Obed, a resident of Wumba in Apo, said the community enjoy electricity for most of the day, “with power supplied for about 22 hours everyday”.
“Light is good. In 24 hours, we experience electricity for at least 22 hours,” he explained.
Mr James Obiakwu, a resident of Dakwo village in Lokogoma, said electricity supply in the area was inconsistent.
Obiakwu said that there was electricity throughout Wednesday, with the supply relatively stable before it was interrupted in the early hours of Thursday.
“Although there was electricity yesterday and the supply was relatively stable, it was cut off in the early hours of today,” he said.
He said, however, that the community experienced a prolonged blackout the previous week, when electricity was unavailable for about four days.
Obiakwu called for improved stability in power supply to enable households and businesses to operate more effectively.
Mrs Jane Toba, a resident of Chika in Lugbe, said the community was beginning to experience a noticeable improvement in electricity supply after years of unreliable power.
“For a long time, electricity was rarely available, and when power was supplied, the voltage was often too low to power basic household appliances effectively.
“The situation is changing in recent weeks, with residents experiencing more consistent electricity supply,” she said.
According to her, power is now available for about two consecutive days before going off for a day.
Miss Tolani Afolabi, a resident of Kubwa, said the improvement in electricity supply had brought relief to households and businesses in the community.
Afolabi said many residents had to depend heavily on generators and other alternative sources of electricity.
She said residents were hopeful that the improved supply would be sustained, through stable voltage and fewer interruptions.
“We call on the Federal Government to ensure that the improved electricity supply becomes more consistent and reliable,” she said.
Mr Samuel Danjuma, a conflict resolution expert and a resident of Dei-Dei, said there had been noticeable improvements in electricity supply, with some areas experiencing up to 10 hours of uninterrupted supply.
Danjuma attributed the improvement to the high level of metering in some communities.
“Where consumers are properly metered, there is greater accountability between electricity distribution companies and customers,” he noted
Danjuma pointed out that reliable electricity was critical to the country’s industrial and economic development.
He commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for efforts to improve the electricity sector, adding that the Electricity Act, 2023, was a significant development.
“It is a significant development and something we should commend and applaud this administration for.
“It is also something that, over the years, was spoken about, and I think this administration is doing well, and there’s also room to do more,” he said.
He said successive administrations had invested in power-generation projects, adding that the transportation of heavy equipment to project sites had, in some instances, posed challenges.
Danjuma called on the Federal Government to sustain investment in transmission infrastructure.
He also highlighted metering as an important component of improving accountability in the electricity sector.
Danjuma called for greater cooperation among government institutions, electricity providers and consumers.
He said citizens also had a responsibility to pay for electricity consumed and desist from bypassing meters.
“What we really need in the power sector is a responsive government, reliable government institution and responsible citizens,” he said.
Danjuma further urged the Federal Government to invest in alternative sources of electricity, including solar and wind energy.
“At 66, Nigerians should be thinking beyond surviving with generators. We should be thinking about industrialisation powered by reliable electricity,” he said.
Share this content:
About The Author
