Residents and businesses in Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa states are feeling the heavy impact of a week-long blackout that has plunged them into darkness.
The blackout is a result of vandalism to power transmission lines, and it has left many struggling to maintain their livelihoods.
This disruption has not only affected households but has also brought essential services such as water supply, sanitation, and healthcare to a standstill.
Hospitals across the region have been forced to operate without electricity, raising concerns about patient care and safety.
As a consequence of this power crisis, business owners have reported significant losses, and the situation is being described as “pathetic” by those affected.
Rice millers, in particular, have been hit hard by the erratic power supply.
Musa Arab, a miller located in the Nassarawo Industrial Layout in Gombe, voiced his frustrations, stating that the lack of electricity has crippled their operations.
“We rely on electricity from the grid to process paddy,” he said.
“But the mills have been shut down due to power outages. We cannot afford the high prices of petrol or diesel to run our machines.”
He emphasized the dire consequences of the blackout on food security, highlighting that the reduction in rice production will eventually lead to shortages in the market.
“I have over 20 workers in my mill,” Arab added.
“You can imagine how many people are out of jobs because of this blackout. The government needs to take action against those responsible for these repeated outages.”
His concerns are echoed by others in the region. Yusuf Ibrahim, another rice miller, warned that the situation might lead to rising inflation.
“Prices of local rice varieties will shoot up because of the reduced supply,” he explained.
He noted that many businesses have had to increase their charges to cover the costs of diesel, further exacerbating the situation for consumers.
A recent survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that the price of a 100-kilogram bag of rice in Gombe has surged to between N120,000 and N160,000.
Before the blackout, the price ranged from N110,000 to N150,000.
Mr. Usman Sani, a rice dealer, linked the price hike to the low supply of rice caused by the ongoing power issues.
“The prices were decreasing slightly due to the harvest, but they have risen sharply since the blackout began,” he noted.
In Bauchi, the situation is similarly dire.
Ugochukwu Daniel, a bartender, lamented the constant power outages and their effects on his business.
“I spend a lot on fuel to run my generator for my refrigerator and to keep the lights on in my restaurant,” he said.
“Without stable electricity, businesses can’t thrive. We need a reliable power supply for our businesses to grow and help reduce poverty in Nigeria.”
Daniel’s struggles are shared by many in the service industry, where electricity is crucial for operations.
Samuel Adamu, a laundry worker, shared his experience of adapting to the power cuts.
“I have had to start using charcoal for ironing clothes instead of electricity,” he explained.
“This is not only expensive but also cumbersome. The price of charcoal has shot up from N5,000 to N15,000.”
Adamu mentioned that the ongoing blackout has forced him to divide labor to cut costs.
“Now, I wash the clothes and pay someone else to iron them. This costs N300 per set instead of the previous N150,” he said.
The persistent power outages have sparked calls for better energy solutions in Nigeria.
Adamu advocated for the development of renewable energy sources to improve power supply.
He also urged security agencies to step up efforts to protect electrical installations from vandalism.
In Jigawa State, there is some hope for improvement in the power sector.
Mr. Muhammad Adamu, Chairman of the Jigawa State House Assembly Committee on Power and Energy, shared recent developments.
He stated that the Jigawa Electricity Law of 2024 includes provisions aimed at enhancing power generation and distribution.
“This new law will establish the Jigawa Electricity Commission to regulate the state’s electricity market,” he said.
According to Adamu, the law will ensure the installation of prepaid meters, protect residents and investors, and address the issue of vandalism.
“It will provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable power essential for the development of all sectors of the economy, especially in rural areas,” he added.
He believes that this law will empower the state to tackle the ongoing issues of power supply effectively.
The blackout crisis in northern Nigeria is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the country’s power sector.
Vandalism of infrastructure remains a significant problem, leading to frequent outages and hindering economic growth.