By Mokobia Rita
OKPANAM/Nigeria: Residents of Okpanam and Akwukwu-Igbo communities in Delta State have voiced mounting frustration over a prolonged power outage that has plunged homes, businesses and public institutions into sustained darkness.
For months, electricity supply in both communities has remained erratic or entirely unavailable, severely disrupting daily activities and crippling local economic operations.
The situation, described by many as unbearable, has triggered widespread complaints and intensified calls for urgent intervention by relevant authorities.
Across the affected areas, the impact of the blackout is stark. Small-scale business operators who depend on electricity for survival say they are incurring heavy losses. Hairdressers, barbers, welders, cold room operators and phone charging vendors are among those hardest hit.
“I have not been able to run my business properly for months,” a trader in Okpanam lamented. “We spend so much on fuel to power generators, and even that is no longer sustainable. Things are really difficult.”
Echoing similar concerns, Mr. Victor, a resident of Okpanam, decried what he termed the failure of the power supply system.
“The power line has really disappointed us. The way it is affecting me is the same way it is affecting everyone,” he said. “I can no longer trust the power company. They bring bills regularly, but there is no electricity. Once you fail to pay, they disconnect you. What has been helping my household is a small-capacity solar system.”
In Akwukwu-Igbo, residents say the situation is equally dire, with many households now relying on alternative energy sources amid rising fuel costs.
Miss Flourish Emmanuel, a student, said the outage has taken a toll on her academic performance.
“The unstable power supply for the past two months has seriously affected my reading habits,” she said. “I find it difficult to read for my WAEC examinations because I prefer studying at night.”
Another resident of Okpanam, Mr. Clever Johnson, described the development as troubling, though he expressed cautious optimism.
“It has not been easy, especially with the unstable power supply,” he said. “Nigerians are not happy about this situation, but I still believe that in no distant time, electricity will be restored to Okpanam.”
Beyond economic setbacks, the prolonged blackout has heightened security concerns. Residents noted that the absence of street lighting has exposed neighborhoods to increased criminal activities, while non-functional security systems have further compounded the risks.
Families are also struggling to preserve food due to lack of refrigeration, leading to waste and additional financial strain. The health implications are equally worrisome, as intense heat, exacerbated by the absence of cooling systems, continues to affect residents, particularly children and the elderly.
Community leaders and stakeholders have called on the Delta State Government and relevant electricity authorities to urgently address the situation. They specifically appealed to the State Commissioner for Energy, Engr. Michael Ifeanyi Anoka, to investigate the root causes of the prolonged outage and implement sustainable solutions.
At the national level, residents also urged the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to prioritise improved electricity infrastructure and service delivery in affected communities.
“This situation has gone on for too long,” a resident of Akwukwu-Igbo said. “We are calling on the Honourable Commissioner for Energy to act swiftly. The people are not happy, and we deserve better.”
Stakeholders stressed that stable electricity remains critical to economic growth, public safety and overall quality of life, urging authorities to ensure consistent monitoring, maintenance and investment in power infrastructure.
As the blackout persists, residents of Okpanam and Akwukwu-Igbo continue to hope for swift intervention that will restore electricity, revive struggling businesses and bring long-awaited relief to thousands enduring life without power.
