Frequent and prolonged power outages have become a daily nightmare for residents and business owners in some areas around Rivers State, especially locations that ordinarily should be having power constantly, eg Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Etchie, and Ikwere Local Government Area. Apart from being the most populated parts of Rivers state, the locations are places where majority of the businesses operate from.
From Rumuokoro to Rumuodara, Eliozu, and Rumunduru, blackouts lasting several hours and more are becoming increasingly common, with no clear communication from the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED). There are a few times when PHED share communications on their social media handles to state that for one reason or the other, they may not be able to give power as required. However this only happens when the fault is coming from the Transmission company of Nigeria TCN.
“Our Lives Are Now on Hold”
“I run a frozen food business,” says Mrs. Chioma, a mother of three. “Every time power is restored, I rush to refreeze food that’s already gone bad. My generator cannot do everything, and fuel is too expensive.”
The story is the same for dozens of tailors, cold room operators, tech professionals working from home, and schoolchildren who depend on light to study at night.
The Cost of Darkness
Daily life doesn’t just become harder, it becomes more expensive.
Many residents spend up to ₦3,000 per day on fuel just to power essential appliances like fans, lights, and refrigerators. Others have had to close their shops early, losing customers and revenue in the process.
“We are now living like we are in the stone age,” said a frustrated barber in Eliozu. “You pay your bills, but there is no light for days. What are we paying for?”
PHED Maintains Responds
For PHED, They believe that they are doing their best. According to one of their staff who spoke on a condition we keep them anonymous, PHED is really trying. according to them, they have consistently met their obligation of providing a minimum of twenty hours of electricity daily to its band A users. This claim appears to be true as our reporter who spoke to a few residents of Rmoibekwe in Obio AKpo Local government confirmed that they have always had light consistently.
Other band A users also have similar experience especially in old GRA, Eliozu and Shell RA.
Health and Safety Concerns
The lack of power has also led to:
- Increase in heat-related health issues
- Higher risk of electrical accidents when power suddenly returns
- Widespread insecurity in poorly lit communities
“People are now afraid to walk at night,” says Mr. Kingsley, a vigilante leader. “The streets are too dark. Thieves now operate freely.”
Calls for Government Intervention
Community leaders and residents are urging the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to hold PHED accountable.
They also call for:
- More transparency
- Better scheduling of power supply
- The introduction of alternative grid infrastructure
- Support for solar and renewable energy adoption
For the people of Etchie, especially Igbo-Etchie, electricity is no longer a basic utility, it has become a daily gamble with no winners. They complained that they barely have light, and when they do, it is usually very low voltage. “We need light to work, to learn, to live. Let someone hear our cry.”
The question on everyone’s mind remains: How long will this darkness last?