Despite the restoration of power in the northern part of the country by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Babale community of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State still remains in darkness.
The community is lamenting that despite hearing about the restoration of power in Jos, it is yet to experience it.
City & Crime reports that normal activities are gradually taking shape in some communities in the northern part of Nigeria following the restoration of power but Babale community says it is yet to experience the power restoration in their area, as the situation continues to affect their businesses.
Abdul Majid Muhammad, a mobile phone repairer said, “We have heard that power has been restored but we in Babale are yet to see it. We are in a difficult situation. Our businesses have stopped. Business owners like us that require electricity are not operating. When we inquired about the problem, officials of the Jos Electricity Distribution confirmed to us that during the power outage, hoodlums stole a large number of cables that supply power to this community.”
Yusuf Yakubu, a grains processor, said, “We are still facing the problem of no electricity even after power is said to have been restored to northern Nigeria. Within Jos town, power has been restored but we in this community are yet to see it due to theft of cables.
“Our business has stopped completely because we cannot afford diesel. Customers are not coming because we can’t start the machines. For Rukaiya Idris, a hairdresser in the area, her business is likely to cripple if the situation continues.”
Rukaiya lamented that “Before the power outage, this shop was always full of customers. However, today it’s empty because customers are not coming. Our customers here cannot afford the prices we charge for using generator due to the high cost of petrol. This is our only source of livelihood, and if power is not restored, our business will be crippled.”
Residents of the community are urging the relevant authorities to urgently address the issue, to enable them to continue their businesses and domestic activities without disruption.