Residents and businesses in Nigeria’s South-South region are grappling with the devastating effects of persistent power outages and exorbitant electricity tariffs, which are crippling livelihoods and forcing many small enterprises to shut down.
A survey conducted across Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River states revealed widespread frustration over unreliable electricity supply. Many residents reported months-long blackouts, while businesses struggle to stay afloat due to high costs of alternative energy sources like generators.
Jeremiah Ukpong, a laundry operator in Obio Etoi, Akwa Ibom, spends up to ₦5,000 daily on generator fuel to keep his business running. Despite this, he continues to receive inflated electricity bills from the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED). Similarly, Theresa Donatus from Uyo lamented paying ₦20,000 monthly for electricity despite receiving less than four hours of power daily.
In Rivers State, residents in communities like Elioparanwo and Rumunduru face similar challenges. Chinazor Daniel-Chukwu reported receiving a ₦52,000 bill after enduring 19 days without power. Others, like retired public servant Fyneface Diri, have resorted to costly solar panels after months of blackouts.
The erratic power supply is taking a toll on small businesses. Food vendors struggle to preserve meals, mechanics face high operational costs, and families endure sleepless nights due to heat and mosquitoes. “Small businesses are closing down because they can’t sustain operations with these high bills and unreliable power,” said Aniefiok Udonquak, a landlord in Akwa Ibom.
Consumers are urging PHED to address issues like estimated billing by providing prepaid meters. Meanwhile, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) criticized frequent tariff hikes as a barrier to economic growth. Despite promises of reform since the privatization of the power sector in 2013, Nigerians continue to endure one of the world’s most unreliable electricity systems.
For now, residents and businesses in the South-South region await tangible improvements as they navigate an energy crisis that shows no signs of abating.
