Bayelsa State’s four-month power outage hits local businesses hard

Residents of Bayelsa State are facing significant challenges as they endure an ongoing power outage that has persisted for nearly four months, following the vandalism of 13 out of 16 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV transmission line.

This disruption has plunged the region into darkness, leading to heightened economic difficulties for both individuals and businesses.

The situation has forced many to rely on costly alternative energy sources, significantly increasing their expenses. Ebitari Progress, who operates a business center in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa, expressed frustration over the financial losses incurred due to the prolonged outage and soaring fuel prices.

“I’m currently running at a loss due to the high cost of petroleum, exacerbated by the state’s power outage that has lasted three and a half months,” he lamented.

Another resident, James Tarila from Edepie, voiced concerns about the rising cost of food and the increased vulnerability to theft due to the lack of power. “The situation is unbearable,” he stated.

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“To make matters worse, the constant power outage has made us vulnerable to vandalism. Many valuable equipment from the transmitter have been stolen since it stopped working.”

In response to the ongoing crisis, State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, assured the public that contractors are working tirelessly to restore electricity.

During the monthly transparency briefing for August and September 2024, she confirmed that efforts are underway to repair the damaged towers in the Okogbe area of Rivers State, in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Koku-Obiyai emphasized that all government projects remain active and are adequately funded. “As a government, we will continue to encourage patience among residents because we know the government is doing so much in conjunction with TCN to ensure that power returns to the state,” she said, urging the public to stay informed about the government’s efforts to resolve the issue.