Residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, and environs have been plunged into total darkness for over three days, with no official explanation for the crippling blackout.
The outage, which began late last week, has paralysed businesses, disrupted daily life, and sparked growing frustration among residents who say they are being left in the dark—literally and figuratively.
While the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (PHCN) has yet to issue any public statement on the situation, speculation is rife that a major fault at the Egbu Transmission Station may be the cause of the power collapse.
Several residents who spoke to our correspondent said the blackout has inflicted severe hardship, forcing many to rely on costly fuel to power generators amid Nigeria’s soaring energy prices.
“We’ve been without light for days, and nobody is telling us what’s wrong,” lamented Chinedu Okorie, a shop owner in Ikenegbu. “This is not just frustrating—it is killing small businesses.”
The lack of official communication has only deepened public anger.
“It is unbelievable that in 2025, a whole state capital can be thrown into darkness for days without a single press release from EEDC,” said Ngozi Madu, a civil servant. “We deserve to know the truth.”
Many business owners in Owerri say the blackout is driving up their operational costs and threatening livelihoods. Food vendors, welders, and those in the hospitality business have been particularly hard hit, with some shutting down temporarily to avoid losses.
Calls and messages sent to EEDC’s regional office in Owerri went unanswered, and repeated efforts to reach spokespersons at the regional headquarters also proved futile as of press time.
Civil society groups in Imo have begun calling for urgent intervention by the Federal Ministry of Power, warning that the continued blackout could have far-reaching social and economic consequences for the state.
As the blackout enters its fourth day, residents say patience is wearing thin and warn that public protests may be inevitable if power is not restored or a clear explanation is not given. “We are tired of being treated like we don’t matter,” said trader Amaka Ude. “We pay our bills—yet we live in darkness.”
