Victor EzejaThough Nigeria’s power problem has been an endemic one, many have expressed frustration with the poor supply in recent times as they undergo a harrowing experience in the face of an intense heatwaves across the country.
With the sizzling heat ravaging parts of the country caused by an increase in temperature of the atmosphere, many people thought that a fair number of hours of power supply could have served as a big respite from this environmental torment, which is one of the effects of global warming. However, their hope of having that relief through power supply has been somehow dashed by frequent power outage across the country.
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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had in a post on its X handle on Tuesday, alerted the people about the intense heatwaves across the country, revealing that “air temperatures hit 41°C over the North and 39°C over the South with model projections indicating temperatures to remain high in the coming days.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Vincent Weli, NiMet’s Director of Weather Forecast Services, underscored the severity of the situation, highlighting the adverse effects of prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
Weli stressed the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard public health amidst the scorching temperatures.
From environmental perspective, Weli recommended some measures to be taken to mitigate the impacf of heatwaves including refraining from much of outdoor activities to avoid the blistering midday sun.
An X user, Mmadubuike, while lamenting about the impact of the current heatwave in the country said it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the challenge of climate change.
“Can’t escape the sizzling heat in Nigeria lately?
“It’s not just your imagination, it’s a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change.
“With rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves, our country is feeling the heat like never before.
“Let’s come together to adopt sustainable practices and fight against global warming.”
READ ALSO: Why Is Nigeria So Hot Right Now?
Aside from the health tips to stay cool during the heatwaves, such as regularly hydrating the body, when it comes to cooling the body indoors with electilric fan and air conditioning system, then the dire need for electricity comes hence the wild lamentation of the people.
Expressing concerns about the heatwaves and poor supply, Mark Idu, a resident of Aguda in Lagos said: “For some weeks now I have noticed an intense heat both day and night and since then NEPA no longer gives us light like before especially in the night when we need it most to enjoy our sleep.”
He said many people now stay outside very late into the night to receive fresh air before going inside to sleep due to heat.
“We are most times cut in a dilema between staying outside for fresh air with constant mosquito bites and going inside to sweat and endure the heat which at some point becomes unbearable because there is no light,” Idu told Prime Business Africa.
A Swizz woman married to a Nigerian popularly called Nwanyi Ocha, who relocated to Enugu Nigeria with her family last year, took to her Instagram handle to narrate her ugly experience passing some nights under darkness because of power failure amidst intense heat. Though expressing her resolve to adapt to the environment as she loves to stay in the country, she called on stakeholders in the power sector to do the needful and help the masses by improving power supply.
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) had in a statement by its head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, explained that the problem of poor power supply currently experienced by its Southeast customers cuts across the country not just in the region. Ezeh, said it was due to low energy generation, which has resulted in a drop in the quantum of power available for distribution to households.
“We understand the inconveniences this situation has caused our esteemed customers and appeal for their understanding as it is beyond us,” Eze stated.
“We can only distribute what is allocated to us.
“Effort is being made by the various stakeholders in the power sector to address this issue, and we hope this yields positive result so that normal distribution would return.
“We remain committed to providing improved services to her esteemed customers,” the EEDC spokesperson clarified.
Apart from EEDC, electricity supply to the Aba Ring-fenced Area in Abia State also witnessed a drop.
According to a report, the reduction of the power supply from 25 Mega Watts (MW) to about 10 MW, was said to have been done by the Transmission Comoany (TCN) in a bid to ration the transmission of available power to other DisCos because of low generation.
Commenting on power sector challenges generally, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, at a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja said the sector is affected by a complex factors, some of which include gas supply constraints, weak infrastructure and destruction of power equipment by vandals. These, he said was responsible for the frequent collapse of the of national grid. He also identified other problems like policy/governance system, wide metering Gap, leading to revenue losses.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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