Traders, Others Decry Poor Electricity Supply In PH

Traders and electricity
consumers within Borikiri, Port Harcourt metropolis in Rivers  State, have been  lamenting over the epileptic  power  supply in the  area in recent time.
The traders in a random  interview  with The Tide correspondent  in Port Harcourt,  over the weekend, said that business activities  have been  paralysed following  incessant  power failure by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED).
According to them, the monthly bill does not tally with what thy derive from the power distribution company, adding that  time will come when they would be forced to embark on public protest or refusal to pay the electricity bill.
They reiterated that those dealing on perishable  goods and liquor  are mostly affected as they either purchase  ice-blocks, go to cold-rooms or buy fuel  and  diesel to power their plants for their business.
“It is embarrassing and an act of fraud that after spending money to buy fuel and power our plants to do our business, the so-called men of the electricity  company will come and demand  payment for electricity  bill they  did not supply. That  is day time robbery, fraud and an act that  is  condemnable  by all  right thinking citizens  of this  country,” one of the respondents opined.
A liquor  trader, Madam Eunice Hart said, “There are no customers because the few that came  had to leave  because they wanted chilled  drinks  and my generator  cannot carry my two fridges that  contain the drinks and the chewables.  “It is really a problem and we hope government  intervenes.
Ms Ibiene Stephens of IB Restaurant, also  lamented that she cannot preserve her perishable items  used in preparing  delicacies  for her customers since there  is no steady electricity  supply.
According to her, the constant power failure in the  area had been a great  challenge to her business.
A petty trader Clara Omuaru, was full of predicaments as her small  business is gradually collapsing because of the incessant   power failure in the area.
“I cannot  sell my drinks even the pure water that used to give  me some money  to  feed  with my family and only God know’s  how we are going to survive.
A resident, Onyeama Samuel Dike, posited that power failure in Port Harcourt and its environs is becoming something else that if nothing is done  could  lead to  anarchy as the masses would have no option than to embark  on a peaceful protest since they are privatised.

Collins Barasimeye