Quick Summary:
Residents face hardship from ₦1,300 fuel price and three-week blackout, crippling businesses and daily life across the state.
The sudden increase in fuel price and a prolonged power outage have plunged Akwa Ibom State into severe hardship, with businesses and households struggling to cope.
Residents are battling the outrageous pump price of ₦1,300 per litre, while enduring a blackout lasting nearly three weeks, which has crippled economic activities across the oil-rich state.
A short tricycle ride that previously cost ₦100 now goes for ₦200, while sachet water that sold two for ₦50 now costs ₦100. Photocopying charges have also doubled from ₦50 to ₦100 per page.
Businesses Grounded by Power Failure
In Uyo, the state capital, small business owners have been hit hardest.
Chimaobi, an ice block seller from Afaha Ube, said his business has been grounded since the blackout began.
Households are also struggling, with many unable to store food or cook in large quantities due to the lack of electricity.
PHEDC Blames Faulty Transmission Line
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) attributed the outage to a fault on the Aba–Itu 132kV transmission line, assuring that repairs are ongoing and urging residents to remain patient.
Akwa Ibom currently receives power from three sources — the Aba–Itu line, the Itu–Adiabo (Calabar) line, and the state-owned Ibom Power Plant.
However, the Itu–Adiabo line was vandalised years ago, leaving the aging Aba–Itu line as the only grid connection.
Experts Call for Urgent Infrastructure Repairs
An insider at Ibom Power revealed that the Aba–Itu line, built decades ago, now has limited capacity and requires reconductoring.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) also raised concerns about frequent vandalism on the Ikot Abasi–Eket line, which transmits Ibom Power’s output.
TCN urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to educate residents on the importance of protecting power infrastructure, warning that community unrest and vandalism continue to delay key transmission projects.