Fides Media Living the Faith
Jubilation erupted along Ossy Gambia Street, Okpuno, in the Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State last Tuesday, July 20, after power was restored to the area after a 19-day outage. Their elation was further amplified by the fixing of streetlights in the area after weeks of not functioning, reports Alexander Johnson Adejoh.
Fides gathered that the community had been in total darkness since July 1 when the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) disclosed that the power outage was as a result of an electric wire that snapped around 1 City Supermarket along Old INEC Road, owing to a heavy downpour.
Residents who later spoke to newsmen lamented what they tagged outrageous bills, poor power supply in some areas and total black out in other communities.
EEDC subsequently disclosed to Fides their readiness to restore supply to the community for what it called the safety of its members of staff following threats against them.
However some traders lamented the damaging effects of the blackout, especially on small businesses.
Some of the residents who spoke to Fides could not hide their joy when the power was restored.
Mr John Chidiebere, a laundry service operator, told Fides that the development would help revive his business which had nearly collapsed due to his inability to get a generator during the blackout.
‘You have no idea how delighted I am right now. I mean, my business has suffered so much from this blackout and my customers were not happy with the ugly development.
‘This latest development has given me hope that the small business I run will rebound after all,’ he added.
Basil Okafor, for his part, said that the restoration of the power supply could not have come at a better time than now when all hopes were almost lost.
‘The return of electricity supply now means that businesses can now move smoothly, without much expenses on fuel, even though we know that the power supply is nothing encouraging.
At least we can now take advantage of the air conditioning systems in our homes, and no longer have to jump from pillar to post to charge our phones,’ he added.
Another resident, Joy Ezekwe, said she could throw a party much later in the day to celebrate, while thanking EEDC for listening to the public outcry.