For two weeks now, Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State has been without electricity supply for two weeks now, even as people outside the city are meant to believe that the city is currently enjoying steady power.
It is however important to State that before the ongoing two weeks blackout, Aba experienced steady power supply and ins one parts of the city, it was uninterrupted.
On the 27th of October, 2024, Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE), the company in charge of electricity distribution in the city, through its management informed residents of Aba that the company has problem with its gas supply system.
“Since the commissioning of our power plant in February, this year, we have worked tirelessly to overcome our gas supply challenges and fulfill our promise of reliable power supply to our customers.
“Recently, we achieved a milestone with our new gas supplier which enabled us provide weeks of uninterrupted power supply across the Aba Ring Fenced Area, marking a new era of reliable and stable power supply for our valued customers.
“However, we have been notified today (27th-10-2024) that the TRANS NIGER PIPELINE, which our gas supplier uses to deliver has to us will be temporarily shut down due to an emergency while repairs are carried out.
“This force majeure situation is beyond the control of our gas supplier and ourselves. We understand that they expect to fix the problem in less than 24 hours we will continue to monitor the progress closely and will update when necessary.
“We encourage all customers to please remain vigilant during this period and help safeguard the electricity infrastructure in your areas.
“Please be assured of our unwavering commitment to resuming the reliable power supply you have come to enjoy as quickly as possible.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause and thank you for your understanding and support.”
Three days after the above announcement, precisely on the 31st of October, 2024, the management of APLE said, “Dear valued customers, we’re pleased to inform you that the technical issue with our has supplier has been resolved, and we expect gas to flow shortly, allowing is to resume turbine operations and restore power. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
After the above announcement on the 31st of October, residents were waiting for electricity, only for the same APLE to come up with another statement on the 2nd of November, 2024 that is not too encouraging.
This time around, APLE said, “We sincerely apologize for the current interruption in power. As earlier announced, we were informed by our gas suppliers that the issue with the line had been resolved.
“We received gas and started to power the turbine, however we discovered that the pressure from the gas supplier remained low and could not sustain continued turbine operations.
“We had to shutdown the turbines. We were further informed this afternoon of a major facility breakdown, which the has supplier’s team is working to resolve.
“We hope this will be ratified soon enough to restart the has turbines and commence turbine operations.
“We are in communication with the gas suppliers and will inform you as soon as we are ready to fully commence turbine operations. We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences caused.”
South East Reporters can confirm that from Kent Street Clothes Making Centre to Ama-Mmogho Fashion Designers Cluster, businesses are shutdown due to lack of power supply and high cost of fuel.
Our correspondent reports that it is still the same situation at St Michaels Road Clothes Making Centre, as well as other Small and Medium Scale businesses in Aba, as the owners cannot cope with the high price of fuel.
Reacting to APLE’s statements, Mazi Teddy Onyekachi said, “This is not what we sign for and next week now you people will bring light Bills and is always on the high side unlike the others that were before you people.
“To pump water is not easy because of the fuel increase and most people in our side comes to our place for water. Should we be turning them back because of APLE? They should stop these excuses and get back to work or move out for others to come in.”
Desmond Chukwu said, “I’m personally very angry. What a heck is wrong with APLE? What on earth should I spent 60k for fuel from Tuesday till today? Please the management should resolve a lasting solution to this menace.
Another resident, Emmanuel Okere said, “The best option for you APLE right now is to connect us back to the national grid and have a solid agreement with TCN on how to pay them wether monthly or weekly.”
Meanwhile, Ifeanyi Mbaeri questioned why some areas of the city should have light even in the midst of the lack of gas supply, stressing his doubt about the excuses of APLE management.
“The light am seeing at Asa Road, Ehi Road, Shopping Centre, Tenant Road…is the light coming from where is it not the same Aba power. Very soon what happened at Omuma Road(protest) will happen in Port-Harcourt Road.”
Amaka Princess on her own said, “I don’t believe APLE because the street along my street has been having light even since yesterday night till this evening the light hasn’t been short down.
“But my street since Monday we have not experience flashing let alone seeing light. Ekwurum na Eto unu, unu emebizie ihe and it has started already.”
A concerned citizen, Emmanuel Ikechukwu said that he suspects sabotage, as it will be extremely difficult for a company that prior to the recent problems, supplied Aba with steady power to suddenly decide to do otherwise.
“I suspect that some people don’t want to see Nigerians get steady power supply. They’re seeing the progress in Aba as a complete shift away from the constant epileptic supply they know Nigeria for. I therefore suggest that before we criticize APLE, we must trade with caution before we destroy ourselves.”
