The prolonged strike by Kaduna Electric workers has entered its third day as residents and businesses remained without electricity.
The blackout has paralysed essential services, disrupted businesses and caused water shortages in several parts of the state with no immediate resolution in sight.
Most affected areas include Ungwar Romi, Sabo and Ungwar Maijero, where residents have resorted to sourcing water from boreholes and streams due to the lack of electricity to power water pumps.
Children with buckets and jerry cans are seen navigating the streets in search of water, adding to the daily struggles of households already dealing with food spoilage and economic losses.
The management of Kaduna Electric (KAEDCO) has again appealed for calm, assuring customers that efforts are ongoing to resolve the crisis.
In a statement issued by Head of Public Affairs, Abdullahi Abdullazeez, on Wednesday night, Kaduna Electric said:
“Dear Valued Customers, We deeply regret the extended power outage that has lasted over 24 hours here in Kaduna. We fully recognize the inconvenience this has caused to households, businesses, and essential services for some of our customers in Kaduna.”
According to the electricity provider, the outage is due to industrial action related to ongoing labor disputes.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the issue, stating “While we face significant challenges, we are fully dedicated to resolving these matters amicably and restoring electricity as quickly as possible. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Please rest assured that we are making every effort to conclude discussions and return operations to normal. Our technical teams are prepared to restore power immediately once the situation is resolved.”
Meanwhile, the impact of the power outage is worsening with many residents counting heavy losses due to the lack of refrigeration for food and essential supplies.
Madam Ruth Sako, a resident of Ungwar Romi, lamented the financial strain the blackout has caused her family ahead of an important event.
“All the vegetables, meat, and other items that we bought and kept in the refrigerator in preparation for my daughter’s wedding ceremony have gone bad,” she said.
Businesses, particularly those dependent on electricity for storage and production, have also been affected with traders reporting losses and reduced sales due to the inability to preserve perishable goods.
As the industrial action lingers, Kaduna residents and business owners are urging the relevant authorities to intervene and expedite negotiations to restore normalcy.
The lack of power and water continues to compound daily hardships, raising concerns about the broader economic and social impact if the situation persists.
For now, Kaduna remains in darkness with no clear timeline for when power will be restored.
