For half a year, residents of two communities in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, have been living in total darkness, a situation they describe as both embarrassing and crippling.
Six Months of Darkness After Transformer Failure
The prolonged blackout affecting Ikpai Ohom and Big Qua Town began in August 2025. It was triggered by the complete failure of a key electricity transformer that served both areas. The ageing transformer, reportedly installed as far back as 1968, developed critical faults and was subsequently removed for repairs, plunging the neighbourhoods into an extended power outage.
Community leaders have pointed fingers at the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), accusing the utility provider of neglect. According to the residents, despite making financial contributions towards the repair of the transformer since its breakdown, PHEDC has failed to either fix or replace the vital equipment.
Residents Decry Hardship and Economic Paralysis
The impact of the six-month blackout has been severe and multi-faceted, stretching far beyond mere inconvenience.
Ntufam Etim Edet, a resident of Ikpai, confirmed that the communities have been without electricity for about six months, a problem too complex for locals to solve on their own. Edim Ika from Big Qua Town labelled the situation unacceptable, noting that officials who should resolve the issue are comfortably using generators.
The economic consequences are dire. Mr Ojo Idowu, another Big Qua Town resident, explained that many artisans and small-scale business owners who depend on electricity have been forced to either shut down or relocate to neighbouring areas with power, bringing local economic activity to a standstill.
Daily life has become a struggle. Mr Okokon Edem highlighted the added financial burden, stating, "We now pay to charge our phones at charging centres that operate with generators." Victoria Omini added that the crisis affects over 2,000 homes, exacerbating water shortages and making life intolerable for families.
Rising Insecurity and a Frustrated Plea for Help
The perpetual darkness has also created a security nightmare. Residents report that vandals, hoodlums, and burglars are exploiting the cover of night to carry out crimes, leaving the communities feeling vulnerable and unsafe.
Perhaps most symbolically frustrating for the residents was being forced to celebrate both Christmas and the New Year in darkness, a experience described as deeply disappointing. With all efforts to get a response from PHEDC proving unsuccessful, the communities have now turned their appeals to higher authorities.
They have collectively lost confidence in PHEDC's ability to solve the problem and are urgently calling on the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, and other political leaders to intervene directly. Their message is clear: they need immediate action to restore electricity and end their six-month ordeal.
