Residents of Owerri and its environs in Imo State find themselves in a dire situation as power outages persist, increasing the discomfort brought on by scorching temperatures.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) bears the brunt of residents’ frustration, with many expressing dismay over the erratic power supply despite faithfully paying their bills.
The heatwave sweeping across the state compounds the misery of residents, rendering their homes and workplaces unbearable without access to electricity.
Mr. Remigus Anyanwu, a trader at Irete in Owerri North LGA, lamented the unbearable nights spent tossing and turning due to the stifling heat, exacerbated by lack of power.
The EEDC had said the poor power supply currently experienced across the South-east is beyond its powers. The company attributed the situation to low energy generation, which resulted in a drop in power supply availability generally.
However, Mr. Nnaemeka Ofor, who operates a popular viewing center in Owerri, urged EEDC to expedite action to restore regular power supply, emphasizing the crippling effect of outages on businesses.
He recounts the financial strain of relying on generators, with daily expenses exceeding N10,000 on fuel, to keep his business afloat amidst the power crisis.
Ms. Esther Kamalu, a trader at Egbu, echoed Ofor’s concerns, highlighting the unbearable conditions endured both at work and at home due to the unrelenting heat and power cuts.
She expressed frustration over the lack of respite, stressing the urgent need for a solution to the recurring outages by EEDC.
Mr. Angus Uche, a bus driver at Umuguma, in Owerri West Local Government Area, accused the EEDC of worsening the economic hardships faced by residents by constant and prolong power outages.
He called for suspension of electricity billing by the company until regular power supply is restored, urging the company to prioritize the welfare of its consumers.
Mr Anayo Ukaigwe, a public policy analyst, who spoke to this newspaper, said there is urgent need for EEDC to address the frequent power outages in the State , in order to provide relief from the suffocating heat.