Electricity: Serious blackout hits Yenagoa; Prices of goods and services rise sharply

Aggrieved electricity consumers in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital, have raised alarm over the continuous blackout in the state which is forcing consumers to abandon their businesses.

The blackout has also caused a marked hike in the prices of goods and services across the state.

The consumers also appealled to the authorities to address the poor supply of electricity in the state to better the lives and improve the businesses of residents.

Residents of the city who spoke  to our Correspondent said some streets have been in total darkness for the past one month without any light.

The consumers also lamented that the continuous blackout has made life very difficult for the average resident, noting that they are being deprived of basic necessities which make life meaningful.

They maintained that the blackout has, to a large extent, affected the delivery of goods and services in the state capital negatively.

Following the epileptic supply of electricity  to the city by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, most business centres, cybercafés and restaurants that cannot continue to run generating sets had closed to the public.

The sad situation has also forced the prices of bottled water and drinks to rise sharply by 50 percent.

Similarly, most public clinics and private hospitals in state now operate  without electricity even as some patients from the state were forced to be referred to clinics and hospitals in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital,  for treatment.

Those who spoke to GPN on the situation  charged both the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and the Bayelsa State Government to do all that is necessary to restore power to the state, stressing that the situation is worrisome and could lead to major crisis.

Efforts to speak with the management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company proved abortive as calls put across to official of the company by our Correspondent were not answered or returned.