Most residents of Warri and environs have confirmed persistent power blackout for over one week, without hope of restoration as some allege a major equipment breakdown and pedestrian efforts by DISCO officials to attend to the problem.
Some of the residents told Realtime.ng that they were highly disappointed by the situation, and lamented over the persistent trend. They said they are mulling mass protest against Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) as a way of registering their disappointment over the issue.
A resident said, the incessant power outage was an affirmation of failure of President Muhammadu Buhari, in respect of his promise of improved electricity supply during his electioneering campaign for second term.
“Solving the problem of blackout was one of the major promises he made to Nigerians but now the problem is going from bad to worse,” he added.
Others said the incessant power outage was adversely their businesses – which they need regular power to operate.
Also galled by the power problem are fuel stations operators who said they spend much money on daily basis to fuel their power generating sets.
Meanwhile, residents of Ekete Waterside in Udu Local Government Area said they have been without power since December 10, 2020. They call on the member representing Udu council in Delta State House of Assembly, as well as the council chairman to come to their aide by impressing on the BEDC to restore power to the area.
Efforts to get comments from officials of BEDC in Warri were not successful, as they claimed they do not have the authority to discuss the matter.
It would be recalled that some residents in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, staged a peaceful mass protest against BEDC on the incessant blackout in the area last year.