Residents and businesses across major parts of Aba, Abia State, have continued to grapple with prolonged power outages, as electricity distributor Aba Power Limited has remained largely silent on the persistent disruption despite growing public frustration.
The blackout, which has lingered for several days with only brief periods of restoration, has crippled commercial activities, disrupted industrial production, and raised fresh concerns over security across the commercial city.
In separate public notices issued on July 26 and July 29, Aba Power attributed the outages to challenges affecting its primary power supplier, Geometric Power Aba Limited (GPAL).
In the first statement, the company blamed the disruption on “critical facility maintenance” by GPAL, assuring customers that power supply would improve once the maintenance exercise was completed.
Three days later, however, another notice cited an entirely different reason, stating that GPAL was experiencing low gas supply pressure, which had prevented its turbines from generating electricity. The company again appealed for patience, promising that normal supply would resume once gas pressure returned to operational levels.
Despite the assurances, electricity supply has remained unstable across several parts of the Aba Ring-fenced Area, leaving residents and businesses uncertain about when normal service will be restored.
Efforts by Kristina Reports to obtain further clarification from Aba Power proved unsuccessful. A correspondent who visited the company’s office to seek official comments on the prolonged outage was denied access to management, with no spokesperson made available to address growing public concerns.
The prolonged blackout has dealt a significant blow to Aba’s business community, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises that depend on steady electricity for daily operations. Many business owners say they have been forced to rely on expensive fuel-powered generators, while others have temporarily shut down due to rising operating costs.
Technology firms, cybercafés, digital service providers, manufacturing companies and other electricity-dependent businesses have also experienced major disruptions, affecting productivity and service delivery.
The situation has equally heightened security concerns, as several neighbourhoods are plunged into darkness at night, exposing residents and businesses to increased risks of criminal activities. Security experts have long identified poor street lighting as a factor that can encourage robbery and other crimes.
The development also appears to contradict the Abia State Government’s much-publicised commitment to transforming Aba through its “Light Up Aba” initiative, a policy designed to guarantee reliable electricity as a foundation for economic growth, industrial expansion and improved public safety.
Residents are now calling on both Aba Power and the Abia State Government to provide clear explanations on the cause of the prolonged outage, the timeline for full restoration, and measures being taken to prevent a recurrence.
With businesses counting losses daily and public anxiety growing, many stakeholders believe sustained silence from the electricity provider is only deepening public frustration at a time when transparent communication is most needed.