By Emmanuel Jimmy
A prolonged power outage caused by four faulty transformers has paralyzed businesses and disrupted daily life in Daki Biyu, a community within Jabi District, Abuja, leaving residents and entrepreneurs in distress.
The outage, which has persisted for weeks, stems from malfunctioning transformers at key locations: 44 Junction, Mango Tree, Market, and White House. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed the issue is under review but has yet to resolve it, according to an anonymous official.
Businesses reliant on electricity, including salons, restaurants, pharmacies, and fashion shops, remain shuttered. Madam Favour, a restaurant owner, lamented spoiling food and rising fuel costs: “If I keep buying fuel daily, I won’t pay my staff. We need urgent help.” A hair stylist, who requested anonymity, blamed illegal connections for the crisis, questioning, “How long must we suffer?”
Residents also endure extreme discomfort, with new father Uchechukwu Uwalaka describing sleepless nights due to heat affecting his newborn: “My baby cries constantly—no light means no fan. Authorities must act now.”
The AEDC official acknowledged the transformers’ failure and stated the matter was escalated to headquarters. However, no timeline for repairs was provided.
The outage highlights recurring infrastructure challenges in Abuja’s power supply, underscoring the urgent need for systemic upgrades to prevent economic losses and health risks in vulnerable communities.
