Residents of Paikoro and Lapai Local Government Areas in Niger State are appealing to the state government and the Abuja Electric Distribution Company (AEDC) to urgently intervene and resolve a prolonged power blackout that has engulfed their communities for the past six months.
This debilitating blackout is a result of the vandalization of power distribution facilities by unidentified individuals, leaving over 40,000 households without electricity.
Reports have revealed that 33 transformers in Lapai were completely destroyed, while the feeder pillars supplying both local government areas, stationed in Paiko, were stolen by suspected criminals.
Regrettably, this is the third time in six months that such an incident has occurred in these areas, compelling residents and various government establishments such as the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai and the two General hospitals in the affected areas to rely solely on generators for their domestic and operational power needs.
Furthermore, the FM station in Lapai has been off-air for the entire duration of the power outage, hampering communication and depriving the community of a vital source of information.
Residents have expressed their frustration, alleging that the AEDC has withdrawn its staff from the affected councils. They interpret this move as a lack of commitment by the company to urgently address the situation.
Alhaji Mohammed Yaro Paiko, a prominent community leader, made a plea to both the state government and the power company to intervene without delay, emphasizing the severe impact this prolonged power outage has had on local businesses. He also highlighted the increased vulnerability of homes to criminal elements during the night due to the blackout.
The Public Relations Officer of the AEDC in Minna, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu, confirmed the situation. He lamented that electrical facilities had been stolen on three separate occasions and subsequently replaced. He urged the affected communities to take ownership and ensure the protection of facilities in their respective areas, as the company’s resources are constrained and it is becoming increasingly challenging to continue replacing the stolen equipment.
