Power Outage: Businesses in Niger battle to survive amidst blackouts

Despite hosting three hydroelectric power dams (Shiroro, Kainji and Jebba Hydroelectric power dams) and a fourth one under construction in Zungeru, ironically, Niger State still struggles to enjoy 12 hours of electricity daily, except for those connected to exclusive 33kV lines. Small businesses across the state are at the receiving end as many struggle to […]

Despite hosting three hydroelectric power dams (Shiroro, Kainji and Jebba Hydroelectric power dams) and a fourth one under construction in Zungeru, ironically, Niger State still struggles to enjoy 12 hours of electricity daily, except for those connected to exclusive 33kV lines.

Small businesses across the state are at the receiving end as many struggle to stay afloat as erratic power supply continues to disrupt their operations.

Frequent blackouts have forced many entrepreneurs to either shut down temporarily or rely on costly generators or solar-powered sets that eat deeply into their profits.

Businesses that rely on electricity to operate, such as tailoring, business centres, barbing/beauty saloons and cold room operators, among others, are experiencing major losses. Residents, too, are battling extreme heat in their homes, making stable electricity a necessity.

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Despite government assurances of improved power supply, residents and small business owners say they see little change.

Speaking to Weekend Trust, Abdullateef Abdulwahid, a welder in the Gbeganu area of Minna, said he spends days completing work that should take an hour if power supply were stable.

“We have been battling with epileptic power supply for more than two months now. It is not that we are having a problem from the transformer that powers our area, the problem is from the power distribution company.

“For more than two months now, we have not been having light. They bring it sometimes but mostly at night. Are we going to work at night? We have many jobs that require electricity, but we have not been getting the light. How do they expect us to survive?”

Abdulwahid explained that he had lost several customers due to power issues. While some clients are patient, others take their business elsewhere.

“I went to buy a fairly used generator, and I was told it costs N900,000. And after acquiring the generating set, how much is diesel now? Many of us have lost customers because of epileptic power supply.

“Before the tariff increase, if I buy electricity units of N5,000, it would last me three to four weeks. Now, even with the unstable power supply, N5,000 lasts only two weeks. If electricity is stable, N5,000 would not take me two days,” he said.

Faisal Saidu, the Youth Leader of Kpakungu Community, said the erratic power supply is not just affecting businesses but also endangering residents, health-wise. Many residents continue to  sleep indoors despite the heat and health risk for the fear of being attacked by armed robbers.

“The issue of light these days has become a major setback for most residents of Minna because we no longer know when we will get electricity.

“Recently, we heard that the state government engaged the distribution company to improve power supply, but since that engagement, the situation has worsened. The heat is unbearable, but we cannot sleep outside because of thieves and phone snatchers,” he said.

For Aisha Ibrahim, an ice fish seller in Kpakungu, the situation has resulted in heavy losses.

“If I buy ice fish and turkey to resell, they get spoiled easily. Sometimes, I end up selling at a loss. If I buy fish worth N70,000, I sometimes struggle to make back N60,000. We are suffering. We are appealing to the government to improve power supply,” she groaned.

Suleiman Idris, a tailor, lamented that the power situation would prevent many customers from wearing new clothes for the upcoming Sallah celebration.

“To be sincere, this epileptic power supply is affecting tailors seriously, especially those of us who use industrial sewing machines.

“Even yesterday, I sat in my shop all day waiting for electricity. I was there until 1am before I left, and there was still no light. Many customers are unhappy. Some called to bring their clothes, but I had to turn them down because I knew I wouldn’t meet up.”

Weekend Trust also gathered that from barbers to artists, everyone feels the pain.

Ahmed Isah, a barber, noted that some of his colleagues have closed their shops and turned to commercial motorcycle riding to survive.

“Many barbers have shut down because electricity is not stable, and using a generator is too expensive. We use rechargeable clippers, but even charging them is a problem. Power sometimes comes at night when we have already closed for the day.

“Meanwhile, the less electricity we get, the higher our bills. Customers often fight with electricity distribution officials when they come to disconnect houses that haven’t even received power supply,” he said.

The crisis has also affected the creative industry. Abdul Abubakar Kuta, an artiste, has shut down his recording studio due to unstable electricity and high fuel costs.

“This is Niger State, home to three or four hydroelectric power dams, yet we are suffering from this level of epileptic power supply; it’s shameful.

“During the fasting period, with extreme heat, people need constant power supply to refrigerate their food and water. Instead, we buy cold water outside. I even had to buy hand fans for my family because the heat is unbearable.

“The government needs to act. If the distribution company is incompetent, they should be shown the way out. Small businesses are dying,” he said.

The power crisis is also affecting government establishments, including radio stations.

Mohammed Kolo, General Manager of the Niger State Radio Corporation, lamented that the situation has disrupted the transmission of state-owned radio stations.

“We cannot discharge our responsibilities with the current epileptic power supply. I have appealed to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to improve power supply to enable us serve the citizens better,” he said.

Kolo requested at least 10 hours of uninterrupted power supply to the main station, Crystal FM, in Minna, to sustain its operations.

Ahmed Shuaibu Gwada, Director General of the Niger State Small and Medium Enterprises and Microfinance Agency, acknowledged the impact of poor electricity on businesses.

“The effect of epileptic power supply is enormous. About 80 percent of small businesses rely on stable electricity to survive. Even if you are selling kola nuts, you need electricity to store the unsold ones.

“The governor has engaged the electricity distribution company to see how the state can subsidize electricity for citizens. Efforts are ongoing, and very soon, we expect a breakthrough.”

Samuel E. Adekina, Chief Business Officer of Niger Zone, said the current power situation is not unique to Niger State.

“What is happening is not only in Niger State; it is everywhere. Once our energy allocation improves, supply to customers will also improve.

“We are in business, and if we had enough allocation, we would distribute it. But right now, the quantum of energy coming to us is lower than it was four or five months ago.