The people of Enugu State, especially the business class, have continued to lament the epileptic supply currently being experienced in
South East states.
Vanguard investigations revealed that several communities had been thrown into darkness for some time now, while residents of the urban towns had experienced unprecedented power outages.
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, the firm licensed to distribute and market electricity in the five South Eastern states, comprising 18 business units, has ,however, blamed the shortfall in power supply on the recent vandalisation of pipelines transporting gas to the power generating stations as well as breakdown of power transformers.
Investigations revealed that power supply in many states of the South East, especially Enugu, dropped drastically since January this year, with some urban residents experiencing total blackout for about three to four days in a week, while some in the state capitals receive supply less than five hours per day under the load-shedding scheme of the distribution company.
Several businesses have been paralysed on account of the poor power supply, while business operators who could afford generating sets, increased prices of goods and services.
For instance, over 50 per cent of small scale business operators within Nsukka town said they were forced to close their shops due to epileptic power supply.
Members of the the Allied Business Community in Nsukka during the week, expressed deep concern over the worsening power situation in the town and other neighbouring communities.
In a statement by its President, Mr. Okagu Augustine, the group said poor power supply had crippled their businesses, adding that most of their members had already closed shops.
The business community lamented that the power project at Nru Junction, which would have solved the acute power problem in the area, had long been abandoned.
”As we talk to you today, over 50 per cent of our members have either quit their businesses or retired to their villages owing to untold hardship occasioned by lack of power.
“We are all aware of the high cost of diesel and the implication of using it constantly,” Okagu said.
Principal Manager, Public Affairs, EEDC, Enugu Headquarters, Mr. Eugene Aniowo, said when contacted on the hardship being experienced by electricity customers in the state, that the shortfall in power supply was not peculiar to the state as the problem was caused by vandalisation of pipelines
BY TONY EDIKE
