Blackout: FCT electricity consumers count losses, want FG intervention
By Constance Athekeme
Some electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to count their losses following the power outage recorded in the territory for two days.
The consumers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Wednesday in Abuja that blackout had adversely affected their socio-economic life.
NAN reports that there has been blackout in most parts of the FCT, following the 2-day warning strike by the NLC.
They, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently resolve the problem that necessitated the two-day strike.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) attributed the power outage being experienced in its franchise areas to the NLC warning strike.
The management of AEDC made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.
”We are aware of the general power outage being experienced across our franchise, this is due to enforcement of the two-day warning strike embarked upon by the labour union.
”We apologise for any inconvenience you may be experiencing as a result of this, as we continue our engagement with key stakeholders toward minimising the impact of the strike on our customers,” it said.
AEDC however urged the customers to take necessary precautions to manage the power outage effectively.
The electricity consumers residing in Lugbe, Kuje, Garki Area10, Central Area and Nyanya told NAN in Abuja on Wednesday told NAN that the blackout had affected their sources of income.
Mrs Esther Ojo, a Hair Stylist resident in Garki Area 10, said that since the strike started on Tuesday, she has found it difficult to carry out her business.
Ojo said that she rely on electricity to run her business, adding that a lot of customers reurned disappointed because of no power.
“”A lot of customers turned back because I need electricity to power my hair driers, if I wash a customer’s hair, I cannot afford to put fuel in my generator to dry it because of the high cost of fuel.
‘’I know the strike is for our own good but it is also affecting our businesses, so I am appealing to government to quickly look into the demand of NLC,” he said.
Mr Monday Izekor, a Fashion Designer residing in Lugbe, said that the blackout has made him not work effectively for two days so he could not meet customers demand.
Izekor said that most of his sewing machines use electricity, using the manual one slows him down.
“”I have not been meeting my customers demand because most of my sewing machines use electricity and my appeal is that government and NLC should settle their difference for the good of Nigerians.”
On her part, Mrs Comfort Maduka, Ice Block seller resident in Kuje, told NAN that the strike has not been easy as she cannot buy diesel to power her generator.
“Diesel is expensive, I cannot buy it and now no light but I know NLC is fighting for us, government should intervene as cost of living is so high,” she lamented.
Mr Johnbull Oche, a resident of Nyanya who runs a laundry service, said that the past two days had been terrible for him.
According to him, he has not been able to meet up with customers demand because of the power outage.
”I am appealing to government to settle with NLC so that the light can be restored,” he urged. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Muhammad Suleiman Tola
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