Residents lament 14-year power outage in Cross River communities

Residents in several communities of Cross River State have lamented the deteriorating power situation currently plaguing the area.

Speaking Online on Saturday in Calabar, several residents said the poor power supply has crumbled their businesses, describing the situation as “frustrating and challenging.”

One resident in Boki Local Government Area, Ajot Ajim, complained about the total lack of electricity in his community, stressing that businesses are not thriving due to persistent power outages.

“For some years, we have not had light in my area. We have been in total darkness. This is affecting most of us, especially business owners. When it is election time, they remember us, yet we are neglected during governance,” Ajot said.

In Ikom LGA, Dr Dimitris Okim decried the poor state of power supply and called on the Federal and State governments to address the issue.

Another resident of Ikom LGA, Ashor Ubi, said, “We have been without electricity for more than 14 years,” adding that the lack of electricity has paralysed his business selling sachet water and soft drinks.

Affiong Duke, a mother of four at Edgerly Street in Calabar South LGA, said the poor power situation has led to the collapse of small-scale businesses and loss of revenue.

“I want to appeal to the government to look into this and help us. Our businesses are not working. We have been in total darkness for so many years. We have a government, yet they are not making adequate provision for us. This is so sad and frustrating,” she emphasised.

Another trader in Calabar South, Bassey Effiom, called on the Federal Government to critically address the situation, saying it also fuels armed robbery attacks.

“When night falls, everywhere is dark and armed robbers capitalise on this to cause havoc. The governor, Prince Bassey Otu, should do something. This season of sweetness is not for the mouth. There should be practical evidence of the season of sweetness,” he lamented.

Reacting, the State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Eka Williams, who acknowledged the poor power supply, disclosed the government’s efforts to address the situation, saying the issue will be resolved within the next two weeks.

“Please, let me make some clarification. Some electricity poles fell. We are working to fix everything. Very soon, there will be good news. The good news is that there will be an effective power supply in the next two weeks,” the commissioner stated.