Power Outage Deepens Hardship Across Northern Nigeria, Residents and Businesses Struggle

Northern Nigeria is facing a worsening crisis as it enters the eighth consecutive day without electricity. The power outage, which began last Monday, has severely disrupted daily life, affecting hospitals, businesses, and essential services throughout the region. The blackout follows the tripping of key 330kV circuit transmission lines between Benue and Enugu, and between Shiroro and Kaduna, plunging large parts of the Northeast, Northwest, and Northcentral Nigeria into darkness.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has attributed the prolonged outage to a fault in the 330kV DC Ugwaji-Apir double circuit. Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, stated that the company is “taking every possible measure” to restore power to the affected areas, despite ongoing challenges. “We are working diligently despite security issues, especially around the Shiroro-Kaduna line, which was vandalized,” Mbah explained.

Hospitals and Businesses Feel the Strain

Hospitals and healthcare facilities in the region have been especially hard-hit. At the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano, patients are struggling with the heat and an increase in mosquito infestations. Malam Umaru Direba, a patient at AKTH, described the situation, saying, “The absence of electricity makes the mosquito problem worse, and it’s hard to sleep even with nets and repellents.”

According to a hospital official, the facility spends about N500,000 daily on diesel, which limits the use of generators to evenings. “We rely on solar inverters for emergency services, but this cannot sustain all our operations,” the official said.

Local businesses, including frozen food vendors, are also suffering significant losses. Many, like Husseini Rufai and Salihu Usman from Tarauni market in Kano, have seen their perishable goods spoil due to the lack of refrigeration. “Without power, we are losing stock every day,” said Usman.

In Gombe, the impact has been similarly harsh. Muhammad El-Kabeer, a frozen fish dealer, said that running a generator for just six hours a day has increased his costs, forcing him to raise prices. “Customers can’t afford the higher prices, and we’re losing business,” he said. Danladi Idi, another fish vendor, warned, “If the power situation isn’t resolved soon, small vendors like me may have to shut down.”

Vandalism Compounds the Crisis

In several areas, vandalism of power infrastructure has further delayed restoration efforts. In Jos, Plateau State, communities like Anguwan Rogo and Gangare have seen transformers targeted by thieves. “They stole crucial components from our transformer, leaving us in darkness for over six days,” said Muhammad Munir, a resident of Gangare.

Bashir Abdullahi, a business owner in Birnin Kebbi, shared a similar story. “Our community transformer was vandalized, and although suspects were arrested, they were released without penalty,” he lamented. These incidents have made the power restoration process even more challenging.

Economic Activities Grind to a Halt

The power outage has taken a toll on the economy of Northern Nigeria. In Jos, timber traders and artisans report a drastic reduction in business. “This market is usually busy, but without electricity, we can’t operate our machines, and customers are staying away,” said Abubakar Salihu, a trader at the Jos Timber Market.

The situation is similar in Bauchi, where milling machine operators are unable to process grains into flour, affecting the availability of essential food items. Alhaji Sani Abubakar, Chairman of the Fresh Tomato, Pepper, Onion, and Vegetable Sellers Association, noted a drop in patronage. “Customers are no longer buying in bulk, and much of our stock is spoiling without refrigeration,” he said.

Calls for Action and Relief Measures

In response to the crisis, the Northern Senators Forum has called on the federal government to expedite repairs on the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line and restore power to affected areas. Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, Chairman of the Forum, emphasized the urgency, stating, “The federal government must act swiftly to restore electricity in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and other states.”

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged a more comprehensive approach to solving Nigeria’s power challenges. “My policy document, ‘My Covenant with Nigerians,’ offers the most effective strategy for addressing these outages. We need to decentralize the electricity sector and empower states to generate, transmit, and distribute power independently,” he said in a recent post.

Electricity Companies Report Losses

Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) are also facing severe financial impacts from the blackout. A representative from one of the DisCos, who spoke on condition of anonymity, criticized the TCN’s handling of the situation. “TCN should be held accountable for failing to meet its contractual obligations within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The ongoing blackout is costing us billions daily,” the source said.

In states like Nasarawa, residents are feeling the impact of reduced power supply. Aisha Umar from Lafia expressed frustration, noting that power supply has dropped significantly. “We used to receive about 20 megawatts daily, but now it’s down to 7 megawatts,” she said.

As the crisis drags on, residents and businesses across Northern Nigeria are growing increasingly desperate for relief. While efforts are being made to address the situation, the blackout has highlighted the vulnerabilities in the region’s power infrastructure and the pressing need for a more resilient energy supply system.