Residents and business owners in the South-South region are grappling with worsening electricity supply, with many lamenting exorbitant estimated bills despite prolonged blackouts. The situation has forced small businesses to rely on costly alternative power sources, pushing many to the brink of collapse.
A survey conducted in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River states highlighted the frustration of consumers who say they are being billed outrageously without receiving adequate power supply. Many called on the government to subsidize electricity and ensure the distribution of prepaid meters to curb unfair charges.
In Akwa Ibom, residents of Atan Offot, Stadium Road, Obong Street, and other areas in Uyo metropolis decried months of inconsistent power supply. Jeremiah Ukpong, who runs a laundry service in Obio Etoi, said he spends N5,000 daily on fuel to power his generator, leaving him with little to no profit. “For about four months, we have had no power supply, yet PHED keeps billing us,” he complained.
Similarly, Theresa Donatus, a resident of Atiku Abubakar Way, said her electricity bill had doubled from N10,000 to N20,000, despite having less than four hours of power daily. Patricia Inyang, a journalist living in Uyo, expressed frustration over her N17,000 monthly bill for a one-bedroom apartment, urging the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company to distribute prepaid meters.
Landlords and business owners echoed similar concerns, with Aniefiok Udonquak of Atan Offot describing estimated billing as an exploitative system that allows the electricity provider to impose unfair charges. He stressed that without stable electricity, small businesses would continue to struggle, making it difficult for them to thrive.
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In Rivers State, residents of Elioparanwo, Okporo, and Rumunduru communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area lamented frequent power cuts. Mrs. Chinazor Daniel-Chukwu, a resident of Elioparanwo, said they often receive only one or two hours of electricity per day, yet their monthly bills are as high as N52,000. “We have written several complaints, but nothing has changed,” she added.
Business owners in Rivers also painted a grim picture. Augustine Jimmy, who operates a hospitality business in Ikot Ekpene, said he spends over N20,000 daily on fuel due to poor electricity supply. “Last month, my bill jumped from N70,000 to N120,000, yet the power supply dropped,” he lamented. Meanwhile, retired public servant Fyneface Diri said he had to invest in solar panels to escape the high cost of generator fuel but still suffers from noise pollution due to neighbors running generators all night.
In Cross River, residents shared similar frustrations. John Akan, a Calabar resident, said his electricity bill jumped from N11,800 in January to N22,000 in February, with no improvement in supply. “For a week in February, we had no power because of a faulty transformer, yet PHED billed us,” he said. Richard Etuk, another resident, said his community had been in total blackout for years due to the lack of a transformer, despite government efforts to install one.
The rising cost of power is not only affecting households but also driving up the prices of essential goods. In Okporo community, Chukwudi Kingsley, a tricycle mechanic, said the high cost of fuel caused by unreliable electricity was making everyday items more expensive. Mrs. Tolu James, another resident, said the heat and mosquitoes caused by lack of power were making life unbearable for families. “My husband couldn’t even sleep last night due to the heat. It’s frustrating,” she said.
As businesses continue to struggle and consumers battle high electricity costs, many are calling on the government and PHED to find lasting solutions. They demand improved power supply, fair billing practices, and urgent distribution of prepaid meters to prevent further economic hardship.
NAN
