Residents lament 14-year power outage in Cross River communities

Residents in several communities across Cross River State have decried the worsening electricity situation in the area, describing it as frustrating and damaging to livelihoods.

Speaking on Saturday in Calabar, residents said prolonged power outages have crippled businesses and made daily life increasingly difficult.

In Boki Local Government Area, Ajot Ajim said his community has been without electricity for years, leaving residents in “total darkness” and forcing many small business owners to shut down operations.

“For some years, we have not had light in my area. This is affecting most of us, especially business owners. When it is election time, they remember us, yet we are neglected during governance,” he said.

In Ikom Local Government Area, Dr. Dimitris Okim also expressed concern over the persistent poor power supply, urging both the federal and state governments to urgently intervene.

Another resident of Ikom, Ashor Ubi, said his community has endured more than 14 years without electricity. He explained that the outage has paralysed his sachet water and soft drinks business.

At Edgerly Street in Calabar South Local Government Area, Affiong Duke, a mother of four, said the prolonged blackout has led to the collapse of several small-scale businesses and significant revenue losses.

“I want to appeal to the government to help us. Our businesses are not working. We have been in total darkness for so many years. We have a government, yet they are not making adequate provision for us. This is so sad and frustrating,” she said.

Another trader in Calabar South, Bassey Effiom, warned that the lack of electricity has also contributed to rising insecurity, noting that darkness at night creates opportunities for criminal activities. He called on the Federal Government and Governor Prince Bassey Otu to take decisive action.

Responding to the complaints, the State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Eka Williams, acknowledged the poor electricity supply and said efforts were underway to restore power.

He explained that some electricity poles had collapsed but assured residents that repairs were ongoing and that effective power supply would be restored within the next two weeks.