Yuletide: Small Business Operators Lament Poor Electricity Supply

Some small business operators in Isolo, Lagos have decried poor electricity supply to the area, saying that it reduced their daily operations this Christmas season.

They told newsmen that they made brisk businesses during Christmas period but had been hindered this season by poor power supply.

A fashion designer, Mr John Egeonu, said that availability of electricity determined the amount of clothes designers made daily.

“A lot of people desire to have new clothes during Christmas season.

“I need constant power supply to meet up with the demand so that I do not disappoint my customers.

“Due to the epileptic electricity supply, I spend a lot of money on fuel to power my generator and even on kerosene for ironing clothes,’’ Egeonu said.

The designer expressed optimism that the privatisation of the power sector would address the problem.

He urged the Federal Government to properly monitor activities in the sector for effectiveness.

“Government should ensure that the power sector is revitalised to boost our economy,’’ Egeonu said.

A hair dresser, Mrs Silver Ogundele, said that Christmas was a period of brisk business for her.

She, however, regretted that she had to resort to the use of power generator to work.

Ogundele said: “It is a business risk for a hair dresser in this area to operate without a generator, especially during Christmas season.

“Customers want their hair dried whether there is electricity or not. Therefore, I power my generator constantly to satisfy my customers,’’ he said.

She told our correspondent that she spent much money to buy fuel for the generator.

A fish seller, Mrs Beatrice Ojo, said that she devised a means of sustaining her business in spite of poor electricity supply.

“I bought a giant deep freezer which keeps the fish frozen for a number of days even when there is power outage.

Ojo also expressed the hope that the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria would improve power supply.

“Epileptic power supply discourages businesses,’’ she said.

Our correspondent reports that many other parts of Lagos State are experiencing poor electricity supply.