By Matthew Denis
Three weeks now and still counting since Airport community in Ilorin, Kwara state capital got power supply last from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
Other communities affected by the total power outage on the Ilorin Airport-Lagos Road are Lao area, Gbagba, Galadima, Check Point, Eyenkorin and Otte area, an outskirt of the metropolis.
Some members of the communities told this medium that their business activities in the areas had been paralysed and life had become unbearable in the last three weeks due to power outage.
Mrs. Florence Akande owner of a frozen foods shop at Lao axis, stressed that she has decide to close down her business as she can no longer cope with buying fuel for her generator set to keep her business running.
She said “We are left in darkness and this is really affecting our businesses and IBEDC is not doing anything about it.
“We have been hearing rumours that the outage has been caused by heavy wind during the rain. They should come to our rescue by assisting the community.
A barber, Abbey Shola at airport area stressed that the prolonged power outage had affected his business as customers were no longer coming because of hike in price.
According to him, he spent N16,000 in three weeks to buy petrol and engine oil to power his generator and short of money for now.
Also, Mr. Solomon Wodi who operate a football viewing centre at Checking point said that the business was no longer thriving due to the power outage.
He appealed to the electricity distribution company to come to their assistance, adding that he is already losing customers.
When contacted, the IBEDC Head of Communications, Challenge Regional Office, Mr. Kola Asaju told Pilot Business that they are aware of the outage as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have some technical problems.
He said “our electricity supplier TCN said they have technical problems connecting the transformers in that locations but work is currently ongoing there.
Asaju stated that he doesn’t know the exact date when the problem will be ratify but they are hoping to get the power restored within the week.
The Spokesman appeals to the various communities affected to bear with them as power will soon be restored.
