Published 23rd Mar, 2024

By Sodeeq Atanda

Zungeru community in the Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State has been experiencing a blackout for more than one month.

FIJ learned that the Niger State Polytechnic, located in the community, is also affected.

A computer science student of the institution told this newspaper on Sunday that power was interrupted in the entire community on February 21. Since then, it has not been restored.

“It started on February 21, when the electricity distribution company interrupted the light. It seemed like a familiar situation until several hours became days and weeks,” the source, who asked not to be named, said.

“We have been living in darkness since then. The power supply company has not said anything. People and businesses are suffering.

“Wushishi does not have power, too. But some neighbouring communities do.

“We are still in session in school. This development has been impacting our studies negatively, and even the school has not said anything to keep us up to speed about what is being done to resolve the issue.”

The source further explained that, apart from the effect of this power outage on the students, Muslim residents of Zungeru community have not been enjoying their Ramadan fasting.

“For us, this is the most difficult Ramadan ever because we don’t have access to cold water to break our fasting in the evening,” he said.

“Petty traders have not been recording good patronage since Ramadan commenced. Usually, these traders would increase their drinking water stock every day and refrigerate it because of the Muslims, who like cold water to break their fast with every evening.

“Life on campus has been particularly boring and frustrating. We want the authorities to fix whatever is wrong with the power source serving our area. We are paying exorbitant fees to charge our devices.

“People are stranded, and things are difficult. Life in this town has been at a standstill for the past month.”

Zungeru is home to the 700 WM hydroelectric power facility built by the federal government with Chinese assistance on the upper and middle reaches of the Kaduna River in the state. Named Zungeru Hydropower Project, the facility derived its name from the host community.

The Export-Import Bank of China provided the $1.3 billion funding for the project during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The project is estimated to generate 2.64 billion KWh of electricity a year, which will meet close to 10 percent of Nigeria’s total domestic energy needs, according to the Bureau of Public Entreprises.

However, the National Council on Privatisation, led by Kashim Shettima, the vice-president, approved the concession of the facility to Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd. in December 2023

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