FCT Residents Report Improved Power Supply, Urge Sustained Progress
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed mixed reactions to recent developments in electricity supply, with many acknowledging noticeable improvements while others say the situation remains largely unchanged.
In separate interviews with the newsmen on Sunday, several residents noted better power availability in parts of the territory, particularly during the Easter period. Areas such as Bwari, Lugbe, and sections of Kubwa were highlighted as experiencing increased electricity supply.
The reactions follow an earlier assurance by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who on March 24 pledged that power supply would improve within two weeks. He also apologised to Nigerians for the persistent outages and cited ongoing efforts, including collaboration with gas suppliers and pipeline repairs, as steps toward stabilising the sector.
Some residents say those promises are beginning to yield results. Stephen Omede, a businessman in Kubwa, observed that electricity supply improved during the Easter break, possibly linked to recent government interventions, including the approval of N3.3 trillion to address legacy debt in the power sector.
Similarly, fashion designer Ndidi Obi described a noticeable change, recounting that she experienced uninterrupted electricity overnight for the first time in six months. In Lugbe, welder Samuel Agim reported an increase in daily supply from about four hours to roughly eight hours in recent days.
However, not all residents share this optimism. Many continue to grapple with erratic supply and prolonged outages. In Kuje, businesswoman Akugbe Odigie said unreliable electricity has significantly raised operational costs, forcing many small businesses to depend on generators. She noted that fuel prices, ranging between N1,300 and N1,400 per litre, are cutting deeply into profits and threatening the survival of small and medium-scale enterprises.
In Bwari, fashion designer Benson Edet welcomed the minister’s earlier assurance but stressed the need for sustained government action to ensure consistent power supply. Likewise, barber Thompson Gbeja in Lugbe called for improved infrastructure, lamenting that poor electricity has frequently disrupted his work.
For some, the impact has been severe. Happiness Onoja, a restaurant owner in Kubwa, said she was forced to shut down her business due to the high cost of running a generator. While she had initially been encouraged by the government’s promise, she said the lack of lasting improvement has been discouraging.
Overall, while pockets of progress have been reported, many residents are calling on the government to ensure that improvements in electricity supply are consistent, widespread, and sustainable.
