Rainstorm Throws Abuja Residents Into Darkness

Rainstorm has destroyed facilities of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Abuja and plunged thousands of residents into darkness.

The rain, described as the heaviest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria in recent times, destroyed high tension cables, poles and transformers.

Most affected areas are Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Kubwa, Nyanya, Gwagwalada and Karu.

Mr. Debo Adegoke, public affairs manager of PHCN, Abuja Distribution Company (DISCO) said the unfortunate development had caused serious inconveniences to customers.

Describing the incident as a natural disaster, the PHCN image maker regretted that the company had suffered losses at the beginning and end of the last raining season because of heavy rains during the periods.

He, however, pledged the company’s commitment to restoring power to the affected areas, and advised residents to lodge formal complaints if the power outage persisted beyond 72 hours.

Meanwhile, electricity consumers who lodged complaints at the Abuja DISCO over persistent blackout, have condemned the slow response of PHCN to the disaster.

Mr. Andy Umenogwu, who resides in Wuse Zone 5 said light had been restored at the PHCN office on the same street, while other houses were still in darkness.

He expressed shock that 72 hours after the incident, PHCN had not rendered any form of apology to members of the public, describing the attitude as a total disregard to customers.

Mr. Umenogwu noted that in as much as PHCN was in the business to make profit and render social services to the public, decency demands that any responsible company should be sensitive to the plight of its customers, and appealed to PHCN officials to find solution to the situation without further delay.

Chris Oluoh, with agency reports